IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

SerieSc 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


'4f> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The 
tot 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibiiographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
'reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  chinge 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couieur 


r^    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagie 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicula* 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


D 


n 


Le  litre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  mapa/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  coul«ur 


□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couieur  (I.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couieur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reiii  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  bi;  ding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Ifure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsior^  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  tea*;es  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
Icrs  dune  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  4tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  iti  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


L'institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Las  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous 


r~~|    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couieur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color4es,  tacheties  ou  piquees 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditach^es 


r~p\    Showthrough/ 


Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 


□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplimentaire 

r~~|    Only  edi'don  available/ 


D 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc..  cnt  iti  filmi^es  i  nouveau  de  faqon  ii 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
posi 
oft 
film 


Oris 

beg 

the 

sior 

otht 

first 

sion 

or  il 


The 
shal 
TINI 
whi( 

Map 
difff 
entii 
begi 
righi 
reqt 
metl 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ca  document  est  filmA  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


y 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanka 
to  the  genercsity  of: 

La  BibliotMquo  de  l.i  Villa  da  Montrfal 


L'exsmplaire  filmA  fut  reproduit  grflce  A  la 
g6n6rositA  de: 

La  BiUiothkiua  da  la  Villa  da  Montr4al 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  cop>  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  lac .  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  --^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"}, or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet«  de  I'exemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 

Les  exemplrires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimee  sont  filmfo  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film4s  en  commenqant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  d'is  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
derridre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — *>8ignitie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmte  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  A  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  has,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

1^ 


*sr'' 


,4' 


•♦.t .:  ♦■■- 


V 

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T"  ^ 


NARRATIVE 

OF     THE 


m 


CAPTIVITY 


AND 


SUFFERINGS 


O  F 


BENJAMIN  GILBERT 


A    Jf    D      HIS 


M 


Y; 


Who  were  surprised  by  the  INDIANS,  and 

TA«LEN    FROM    THEIR   FaRMS,    OK    THE  FRON- 
TIERS   OF    PfiNNSifLVANIA. 

In    the   spring,    1780. 


PHILADELPHIA,    frin 
LONDON: 


ted: 


Reprinted  »nd  Sold  hy  ]  a  m  k  s  P  h  1 1,! ,  „,  George- 


A  ai 


u,  A^moaia-otreet, 

M.p^C.LXXXV. 


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Q.-€Z<f/ 


?i^tn^n 


c    ^1 


^  I  •   \ 


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^ 


943727 


^- 


^hr  Wm 


wmm 


NARRATIVE 


O   F      T   H.  f 

C    A    P    T    I   V    I    T    Y 


Q-  r 


BENJAMIN  GILBERT 


A  ij  D   H  r  S 


A      M 


Y. 


BENJAMIN  GILBERT,  Ton  of  Jofeph 
Gilbert,  was  born  at  Byberry,  about  15 
miles  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  in  the 
year  17 1 1,  and  received  his  education  among 
the  people  called  Quakers^  .,;    . 

He  relided  at  or  near  the  place  of  his  na-- 
tivity  for  feveral  years j  during  which  time 
of  refidence  he  married,  and  after  the  deceafe 
of  his  firft  wife,  he  accomplilhed  it  fecond 
marriage  with  Elizabeth  Peart,-  widow  of 
Bryan  Peart,  and  conti^nued  in  this  neigh.^ 
bourhood  lentil  the  year  177X,.  when  he  re- 
TMoved  with  his  family  to  a  ^rm^  fituate  oa* 
Mahoning  Creek,  ii.  Pcnn  Townfhip,  North-., 

A  3  amptoa 


mmmmmmm^m'^ 


M 


if  A 


\m 


C  «  ) 

ampton  county,  being  the  frontiers  of  Pcnn* 
lylvania,  not  far  from  where  Fort  AJlen  was 
creftcd.     The  improvements  he   carried  on 
here  were  according  to  the  ufual  manner  o^ 
new  fettlcments,  convenience   being  princi-| 
pally  attended   to,  his  houfe  and  barn  being' 
of  Jogs  J  to  this  he  had  added  a  faw-mill,  andj 
a  commodious  Hone  grift-mill,  which,  as  it 
commanded  the   country  for  a  confidcrable 
diftance,  condiK:ed  in  fome  meafure  to  ren- 
der his  fituation  comfortable. 
^    This  fhort  account  may  not  be  improper^ 
in  order  to  intereft  our  feelings  in  the  rcla- 
tionofthemany  fccnes  of  afl^idion  the  fa- 
mily were  reduced  to,  when  fnatched  from 
the  pleafing  enjoyment  of  the  neceflarics  and 
conveniencies  of  life.     The  moft  flattering 
©four  profpeds  are  often  marked  with  dif- 
appointment,  expreffively  inftrudting  us,  that 
we  are  all  grangers  and  fojourners  here,  as, 
were  our  forefathers. 

This  family  was  alarmed  on  the  25th  day 
of  the  4th  Month,  1780,  about  fun-rife,  by 
a  party  of  eleven  Indians,  whofe  appearance 
ftruck  them  with  terror;  to  attempt  an  ef- 
cape  was  death,  and  a  portion  of  diftrefi, 
not  eafy  to  be  fupported,  the  certain  atten- 
dant on  the  moft  patient  and  fubmifTive  con,, 
du^.  The  Indians,  who  made  this  incurfion^ 
were  of  diiferent  tribes  or  nations,  who  had 
abandoned  their  country  on  the  approach  of 
Gcacrai  Sullivan's  army*  and   fled   within 

QonamAnd 


p^p 


a^wm 


)f  Pcnn^ 
Hen  was 
irricd  on 
lanner  of 
»  princi-i 
rn  being; 
nil],  and 
ch,  as  it 
idcrable 
to  ren^ 

iproper,. 
he  re]a« 
the  fa- 
;d  from 
ries  and 
attcring 
fith  dif- 
us»  that 
lere^  as. 

5th  day 
rife,  by 
earancc: 

an  ef- 
diftreis, 
i  atten- 
/c  con^ 
:urfion^ 
fho  had 
oach  of 

within 

tunaj^d  J 

1 


t    7    ) 

command  of  the  Britilh  forts  m  Canadt, 
promifcuoufly  fettling  within  their  neigh- 
bourhood, and,  according  to  Indian  cuftom 
of  carrying  on  war,  frequently  invading  the 
frontier  fcttlements,  taking  captive  the  weak 
and  defencelefs. 

The  names  of  thcfe  Indians,  with  their  rc- 
fpc£tive  tribes,  are  as  follow : 

1.  Rowland  Montcur,  id  captain. 

2.  John  Monteur,  fecond  in  command, 
who  was  alfo  (tiled  captain :  thefe  two  were 
Mohawks,  dcfcended  of  a  French  woman, 

J.  Samuel  Harris,  a  Cayuga  Indian. 

4.  John  Hufton,  and  his  fon7  r> 

5.  John  H ufton,  jun.  j"  Cay ugas 

6.  John  Fox,  of  the  Delaware  nation.  The 
other  5  were  Senecas. 

At  this  place  they  made  captives  of  the 
following  perfons  i 

1.  Benjannin  Gilbert,  aged  about 

2.  Elizuoeth,  his  wife, 

3.  Jofeph  Gilbert,  his  fon, 

4.  JcfTe  Gilbert,  another  fon, 

5.  Sarah  Gilbert,  wife  to  Jeflfe, 

6.  Rebecca  Gilbert,  a  daughter, 

7.  Abner  Gilbert,  a  fon, 

8.  Elizabeth  Gilbert,  a  daughter, 

9.  Thomas  Peart,  fon  to  Benjamin  7 
Gilbert's  wife,  .     ^23 

10.  Benjamin  Gilbert,   a  fon  of/ 
John  Gilbert,  of  Philadelphia,       .  J;^^/ 

A  4  II.  Andrew 


69year8 

55 
41 

19 
16 

14 

12 


'^i 


■"WP^ 


■«IVP««> 


J I 


(     8     ) 

ir.  Andrew  Harrigar,   of   Ger- Tf 

man   defcent,  hired    by    Benjamin  f26year» 
Gilbert,  3 

12.    Abigal   Dodfon,    (daughter! 
of  Samuel  Dodfon,  who  lived  on  a  I 
farm  near  one   mile  diftancc  from  f  14 
the  mill)  who  came  that  morning  J 
with  grift, 

They  then  proceeded  to  Benjamin  Peat's 
dwelling,  about  half  a  mile  further,  and 
brought  himfclf  and  family,  viz. 

13.  Benjamin  Peart,  fon  to  Benja-  , 
min  Gilbert's  wife,  ]^7 

14.  Elizabeth  Peart,  his  wife,,         ao 

15.  Their  child,  about  nine  months  old. 
The    prifoners    were    bound    with  cords,. 

which  the  Indiana  brought  with  them,  and 
in    this  melancholy   condition  left  under  a 
guard  for  the  fpace  of  half  an  hour  j  during 
which  time,  the  reft  of  the  captors  employed: 
themfelves   in    plundering   the    houfe,    and 
packing  up    fuch    goods  as    they  chofe   to 
carry  off,  until  they  had  got  together  a  fuf- 
ficient  loading  for   three  horfes,  which  they 
took,  befides  compelling  the  diftrefied  pri- 
foners to  carry  part  of  their  plunder.     When 
they   had  finifhed  plunderi-ng,    ihcy    began 
their  retreats  two  of  their  number  being  de- 
tached to  fire  the  buildings,  which  they  did 
without  any  exception  of  thofe  belonging  to 
the  unhappy  fuffcrers ;  thereby  aggravating 
their  diftreftes,  as  they  .could   obferve  the 

flamesjf    I 


(    9    y 

flames,  and  the  falling  in  of  the  roofs,  fronv 
an  adjoining  eminence  called  Summer  Hillv 
They  cad  a  mournful  look  towards  their 
dwellings,  but  were  not  permitted  to  ftop; 
until  they  had  reached  the  further  fide  of  the- 
hill,  where  the  party  fat  down  to  make  a 
fliort  repart;  but  grief  prevented  the  prifon- 
ers  from  fharing  with  them. 

The  Indians  fpeedily  put  forwards  from  thi» 
place;  as  they  apprehended  they  were  not  fo 
far  removed  from  the  fettlements>  as  to  be 
fecure  frompurfuit.  Not  much  further  was  a 
large  hill,  called  Mochunk,  whioi*  they  fixed 
upon  for  a^  place  of  rendezvous:  here  they 
halted  near  an   hour,  and.  prepared  fhoes  or 
fandab,  which  they  call  mockafons,.  forfome 
of  the  children:    confidering  themfelves  ia 
lome  degree  relieved  from  danger,  their  fears 
abated,  lo  that  they  could  enjoy  their  meal  at 
leilure,  which  they  ate  very  heartily.  At  their 
removal  from  this  hill,  they  told  the  prifon- 
ers  that  Colonel  Butler  was  no  great  diftance 
fromthem,  in  the  woods,  and  that  they  were: 
going  to  hiim 

Near  the  foot  of  the  hill  flows  a^  ftream  of 
water,  called-  Mochunk  Creek,  which  was 
crolTed,  and  the  fecond  mountain  palfedi  the 
fteep  and  diflicult  afcent  of  which  appeared 
very  great  to  the  much  enfeebled  and  affrigh?^ 
ed  captives:  they  were  permitted  tareft  them- 
lelvesfor  fomc  minutes,  and  then  prefTed  oiv 

•^  5  wards 


<     : 


i:l 


1 1 


1! 


5 


^nrcJs  to  the  broad  mountain,  at  the  loot  of 
which  runs  N^fcaconnah  Creek. 

Doubly  diftrefTcd  by  a  recollection  of  paft' 
bappinefs,  and  adrcad  of  .»ic  miferics  they  had 
now  to  undergo,  they  began  the  afcent  of  this 
mountain  with  great  anguilh  both  of  body 
and  nfiind.  Benjamin  Gilbert's  wife,  difpirited 
iwrth  the  increaiing  difficulties^didnotexpedl 
ihc  was  able  to  pafs  this  mountain  on  foot, 
bu-t  being  threatened  with  death  by  the  In- 
dians if  flic  did  not  i^erform  it,  with  many  a 
heavy  ^ep  flie  at  length  fucceeded.  The  broad 
mountain  is  faid  to  be  feven  miles  over  in 
this  place,  and  about  ten  miles  diflant  from 
Benjamin  Gilbert's  fettlement.  Here  they 
halted  an  hour,,  and  then  ftriick  into  the 
Nelkapeck  Path)  the  unevennefs  and  rugged- 
ncfs  of  which  rendered  it  exceedingly  toil- 
fome,  and  obliged  them  to  move  forwards 
(lowly.  Quackac  Creek  runs  acrofs  the 
Nefkapeck  l^ath>  which  leads  over  Pifmire 
Hill.  At  this  laft  place  they  (lopped  to  refrefli 
themfelves,  and  then  purfued  their  march 
along  the  fame  path,  through  Moravian  Pine 
Swamp,  to  Mahoniah  Mountain,,  where  they 
lodged,  being  the  fkft  night  of  their  cap- 

It  may  furnifli  information  to  fome,  to 
mention  the  method  the  Indians  generally 
ufe  to  fecure  their  prifoners:  they  cut  down 
a  fapling  as  large  as  a  man's  thigh,  and  there- 


ic  loot^  of 

n  of  pad' 
they  had 
nt  of  this 
of  body 
difpiritcd 
lOtexpedl 
on  foot  > 
y  the  In- 
h  tnany  a 
^he  broad 
:s  over  in 
tant  from 
lerc   they 
into  the 
1  rugged- 
ngly  toil- 
forwards 
crofs    the 
r  Pifoiire 
to  refreih 
;ir  march 
kvlan  Pine 
^here  they 
their  cap- 

fome,    to 

generally 

cut  down 

and  there- 


(    ir    1 


r 

I  in  cat  notches,  in  which  they  fix  their  Icg^, 
i  and  over  this  they  place  a  pole,  ccoG^ng  the 
I  pole  on  each  fide  with  flakes  drove  in  the 
ground,  and  in  the  crotches  of  the  flakes  they 
place  other  poles  or  riders,  cfFedlually  con- 
fining the  prifoners  on  their  backs;  befidcs 
which,  they  put  a  ilrap  round  their  necks, 
which  they  faflcn  to  a  tree:  in  this  manner 
the  night  pafTcd.  Their  beds  were  hemlock 
branches  flrewcd  on  the  grourd,  anc^  blankets 
rbr  a  covering,  which  was  an  indulgence 
fcarccly  to  have  been  expected  fronr*  favagcs: 
it  may  reafonably  be  cxpedled,  that  in  this 
melancholy  fituation,  deep  was  a  ftranger  to 
their  eye-lids. 

Benjamin  Peart  having  far  ted  in  the  even- 
ing, occafioncd  by  the  fufFerings  he  endured, 
was  threatened  to  be  tomahawked  by  Rowland 
Montcur. 

26th.  Early  this  morning  they  continued 
their  route  near  the  waters  of  Teropin  Ponds. 
The  Indians  thought  it  mofl  eligible  tofcpa* 
rate  the  prifoners  in  companies  of  two  by  two, 
each  company  under  the  command  of  a  par- 
ticulaiTndian,  fpreading  them  to  a  confidcr- 
able  diftance,  in  order  to  render  a  purfuit  as 
impradicable  as  poHible.  The  old  people, 
overcome  with  fatigue,  could  not  make  as 
much  expedition  as  their  fevere  tafk-mafters 
thought  proper,  but  failed  in  their  journey, 

Iand  were  therefore  threatened  with  death  by 
A  6  ilic 


rl 


'I 


N 


c  "  ; 

the  Indian  under  whofe  direflion  they  were- 
placed:  thus  circumftanced,  they  refigned 
themfelvcs  to  their  unhappy  lot  with  as 
much  fortitude  as  poflTble.  Toward?  even- 
ing the  parties  again  nnet  and  encamped,  hav- 
ing killed  a  deer,  they  kindled  a  fire,  each 
one  roafting  pieces  of  the  flefh  upon  fharp- 
cned  fwitches.  The  confinement  of  the  cap- 
tives was  the  fame  with  the  firft  night;  but, 
as  they  were  by  this  time  more  refigned  to 
the  event,  they  were  not  altogether  deprived 
of  fleep. 

27th.    After  breakfaft  a  counlcil  was  held 
concerning  the  divifion  of  the  prifoners,  which 
being  fettled,  they  delivered  each  other  tholfe 
prifoners  who  fell  within  their  feveral  allot- 
ments^ given  them^  directions  to  attend  to  tte 
jparticular  Indians  whofe   property  they  be- 
came.   In  this  day's  journey  they  paffed  .'-  -ar 
Fort  Wyoming,    on   the  eaflern    branch  of 
Sufquehanna,   about  forty  miki  from  their 
late  habitation.  The  Indians,  naturally  timid, 
were  alarmed  as  they  approached  this  garrifon, 
and  obferved  great  caution,  not  fufFering  any 
noifc,  but  flapped  on  the  ilones  that  lay  in  the 
path,  left  any  footfteps  fhould  lead  to  a  difco- 
very.     Not  far  from  thence  is  a  confiderable 
ftream  of  water,  emptying  itfelf  into  Sufque- 
hanna, which  they  croffed  with  great  difficulty, 
it  being  deep  and  rapid,  and  continued  here 
this  night.     Benjamin  Gilbert,  beinsr  bound 
fall  with  cords,  underwent  great  fulfcrings. 

z8th. 


\H\'>- 


C    rj    J 

iSth.  This  morning  the  prifoners  were  alf 
painted  according  to  the  cuftom  amone  the 
Indians,  fooie  of  theni  with  red  and  black 
fome  all  red,    and  fome  with   black  only- 
thofe  whom  thL7  fmut  with  black,  without 
any  other  colour,  are  not  confidered  af  any 
value,  and  are  by  this   mark  generally  de- 
voted to  death:  although  this  cruel  piirpofe 
may  not  be  executed  immediately,    they  are 
Seldom  preferved  to  reach  the  Indian  hamlets 
alive.     In  the  evening  they  came  to  Sufque*. 
hanna,  having  had   a  painfyl  and  weariioinc 
journey  thrmigh  a  very  flony  a-nd  hilly  path. 
Here  the  Indians  fought  d-iligently  for  a  pri. 
vate  lodging  place,  that  they  might  be  as 
lecure  as  poffible  from  any  fcouting-parties  of 
the  white  people..    It  is  unnecelTary  to  make 
further  mention  of  their  manner  of  lodeine' 
as  It  flill  remained  the  fame.  ^' 

^""^uu  7t^^  T?^  ^"  fearch  of  the  horfes 
which  had  ftrayed  from  them  in-the  night,  and 
after  fome  time  found  them.    They  then  kept 
the  cou^e  of  the  river,  walking  along  its  fide 
with  difficulty.     In  the  afternoon  th^y  came 
to  a  place  where  the  Indians  had  direded  four 
negroes  to  wait  their  return,  having  left  them 
fome  corn  for  a  fubfiftence :  thefe  negroes  had 
elcaped  from  confinement,  and  were  on  their 
way  to  Niagara,  when  firft  difcovered  by  toe 
Indians;  being  challenged  by  them,  anfwered, 
-    -  ^       ^.^.  ^^^^  iviiigi    u^uu  wiiicii  they 
immediately  received  theni  into  proteaion/ 

3Qth, 


*i 


^<^9 


1  0' 


^o.  The  negroes,  who  were  added  to  the' 
company  the  day  before>  began  cruelly  to 
donmineer  and  tyrannife  over  the  prilbners, 
frequently  whipping  them  for  their  fport,  and 
treating  them  with  more  feverity  than  even 
the  Indians  themfelves  j  having  had  their 
hearts  hardened  by  the  meannefs  of  their  con- 
dition, and  long  fubjedion  to  flavery.  In- 
this  day's  journey  they  pafled  the  remains  of 
the  Indian  town,  Wyaloofing.  The  lands 
round  thefe  ruins  have  a  remarkable  appear- 
ance of  fertility.  In  the  evening  they  made 
ft  lodgment  by  the  fide  of  a  large  creek. 

5th  Month  I  ft.  After  eroding  a  confider- 
gable  hill,  in  the  morning,  they  came  to  ^ 
'place  where  two  Indians  lay  dead.  A  party 
of  Indians  had  taken  fome  white  people, 
whom  they  were  carrying  ofF  prifoners,  they 
jrofe  upon  the  Indians  in  the  night,,  killed 
four  of  them,  and  then  efiefted  their  efcape^ 
The  women  were  fent  forwards^  and  the  men 
prifoners  commanded  to  draw  near  and  view 
the  two  dead  bodies,  which  remained  (the 
othertwo being  removed)',  they ftaid to obferve 
them  a  confiderable  time,  and  were  then  or- 
dered to  a  place  where  a  tree  was  blown  down. 
Death  appeared  to  be  their  doom  j  but  after 
remaining  in  a  ftatc  of  fad  fufpenfe  for  fome 
time,,  they  were  ordered  to  dig  a  grave;  to 
cfFedt  which,  they  cut  a  fapling  with  their 

tomahawks,     and  fliarnerked  one     end-     wirK 

■which 


'-^4     , 


c  If  y 

which  wooden  inftrument  one  of  them  broke 
the  ground,  and  the  others  caft  the  earth  out 
with  their  hands,  the  negroes  being, permitted 
to  beat  thenn  feverely  whilft  they  were  thuS' 
employed.  After  interring  the  bodies,  thef 
went  forward's  to  the  refty  and  overtook  thenv 
as  they  were  preparing  for  their  lodging. 
They  were  not  yet  ^eleafed  from  their  fapling, 
confinement. 

2d.  Having  fcwmc  of  their  provifions  with 
them,  they  made  an  early  mealy  and  travelled 
the  whole  day.  They  crofTed  the  eaft  branch 
of  Sufquehanna  towards  evening,  in  canoesy 
at  the  place  where  General  St^llivan's  army 
had  paffcd  it  in  their  expedition.  Their  en- 
campment was  on  the  weftcrn  (Ide  of  this 
branch  of  the  river;  but  two  indianSy  who  did 
not  crofs  it^  fent  for  Berijamin  Gilbert,  jun„ 
and  Jefie  Gilbert's  wife-,  and  as  no  probable 
caufe  could  be  afTigned  why  it  was  fb,  the 
defign  was  confidered  as  a  very  dark  one^  and 
was  a  grievous  affiid^ion  to  the  others* 

2d,  The  morning  however  dlfpelled  the|| 
fears,  when  they  had  the  latisfadlion  of  fee-^ 
ing  themagain>  and  underftood  they  had  Bot 
received  any  treatment  harder  thait  their 
ufuai  fare.  The  horfes  fwam  the  Sufque- 
hanna>  by  the  fide  of  the  canoe.  This  day 
the  Indians  in  their  march  found  a  fcalp,  and 
took  it  along  with  them^  as  alfo  fome  old 


_r  L!_u   ^1 1^  _    r. 


-«i\#*tij      VA       VriJIVM      blAWV     liACMAW 


Cfc     II 


'k't 


v«* 


fsc- 


Ml 


(    r6    ) 

frequently  killed  deer,  and  by  that  means 
fupplied  the  company  with  meat,  being  al- 
moft  the  onlyprovifion  rhey  ate,  as  the  flour 
they  took  with  them  was  expendedi 

4th.  The  path  they  travelled  this  morninit 
was  but  little  trodden,  which  made  it  diffi- 
cult for  thofe,  who  were  not  acquainted  with 
the  woods,  to  keep  in   it.     They  crofTed  a 
creek,  made  up  a  large  fire  tawarn?  them- 
felves  by,  and  then  feparatcd  into  two  com- 
panies,   the  one  taking  the  Weftward  Path*, 
with  whom  were  Thomas  Peart,  Jofeph  Gil- 
bcrc,  Behjamin  Gilbert,  jun.  and  JefTe  Gil'- 
bert*s  wife  Sarah;  the  others  went   more  to 
the  north,  over  rich  level  land.  When  even- 
ing came,  inquiry  was  made  concernino- the 
four  captives  who  were  taken  in  the  Weflr, 
ward  Path,  and  they  were  told,  that  "  Thefc 
««  were  killed  and  fcalpcd,  and  you  may  ex:- 
*'  pea  the  fame  fate  to  mght."     *  Andrew 
Harrigar  was  fo  terrified  at  the  threat,  that 
he  refolvcd  upon  leaving  them,  and  as  foon  as 
it  was  dark,  took  a  kettle  with  pretence  of 
bringing  fome   water,  and  made  his  efcape 
under  favour  of  the  night:  he  was  fought  af- 
ter by  the  Indians  as  Ibon  as  they  obferved 
him  to  be  miffing, 

•  Andrew  Harrigar  endured^  many  hardfhips  in  the 
woods,  and  at  length  returned  to  the  fettlements,  and 
gave  the  firft  authentic  intelligence  of  Benjainiii  Gilbert 


t  meams 
eing  al- 
:he  floui: 

tiorning 
it  difH- 
ted  witfi 
roffed  a 
)  thennr- 
7o  com- 
d  Path', 
•ph  Gil- 
ffe  Gil'- 
nore  to 
n  even- 
ling  the 
s  Weflr, 
'  Thefc 
"nay  ex- 
^ndrev/ 
It,  that 
loon  as 
*nce  of 
cfcape 
ght  af- 
Dferved 


>s  in  the 
nts,  and 

I  Gilbext 


(    17    3 

5th.  In  the  morning  the  Indians  Returned'; 
their  fearch  for  Andrew  Harrigar  being  hap*' 
pily  for  him  unfuccefsful:  the  prifoners  who  ^ 
remained,  were  therefore  treated  with  great 
Severity  on  account  of  his   efcape,  and  were 
often  accufed  of  being  privy  to  his  defign* 
Captain  Rowland  Montciir  carried  his  refefit- 
ment  fo  far,  that  he  threw  JefTe  Gilbert  down; 
and  lifted  his  tomahawk  to  ftrike  him,  which 
the  mother  prevented,  by  puttrng  her  head  ori' 
his  forehead,  befeeching  him  to  fpare  her  fon  : 
this  fo  enraged  him,  that  he  turned  round', 
kicked  her  over,  and  tied  them  both  by  their 
necks  to  a  tree,  where   they  remained  lintil 
hisfury  was  a  little  abated j  he  then  loofed 
them^  and  not  long  after  bid  them  pack  up 
and  go  forwards.     They  pafTed  through   a 
large  pine  fwamp,  and  about  noon  reached 
one  of  the  Kittareen  towns,  which  was  defo- 
lated.     Not  far  from  this  town,  on  the  fum- 
mic  of  a  mountain,  there  ilTues  a  large  fpring, 
forming  a  very  confrderable  faH,    and  runi 
very  rapidly  in  an   irregular  windrng  flream 
down  the  mountain's  fides.     They  left  this 
place,  and  took  up  their  lodging  in  a  defertcd 
wigwam  covered  with  bark,  which  had  form^ 
erly  been  part  of  a  town  of  the  Shipquagas. 
6th,  7th,  8th.  They  continued  thcfe  three 
^^3^s  ^n  the  neighbourhood  of  thefe  villages, 
which  had  been  deferted  upon  General  Sullr- 


W  A  A  t 


5  th. 


iivfc  tiicy  iivcu  wcii,   oav*« 


» 


"41 


fr 


i*' 


ill 


,.  'I'l 


ii 
1 1 


1 1 1 


■!il 


(     i8     ) 

ing,  in  addition  to  their  ufual  bill  of  fare, 
plenty  of  turnips  and  potatoes,  which  had 
remained  in  the  ground,  unnoticed  by  the 
army.  This  place  was  the  hunting  ground  of 
the  Shipquagasj  and  whenever  their  induftry 
prompted  them  to  go  out  a  hunting,  they  had 
no  difBculty  to  procure  as  many  deer  as  they 
defired. 

Roaft  and  boiled  meat,  with  vegetables,! 
afforded  them  plentiful  meals;  they  alfo 
caught  a  wild  turkey,  and  fome  fifh,  called 
fuckers.  Their  manner  of  catching  fifli,  was, 
to  il^^rpen  a  ftick,  and  watch  along  the  rivertj 
until  a  fifh  came  near  them,  when  they  rud-[ 
dcnly  pierced  him  with  the  ftick,  and  brought! 
him  out  of  the  water.  #  [ 

Here  were  a  number  of  colts,  fome  of  them 
were   taken,   and  the  prifoners  ordered   tol 
manage  them,  which  was  not  eafily  done. 

9th.  When  they  renewed  their  march,  the) 
placed  the  mother  upon  a  horfe  that  feemcdl 
dangerous  to  ride,  but  fhe  was  prefer  ved  fro  ml 
any  injury.  In  this  day*s  journey  they  camel 
to  Meadow  Ground,  where  they  ftaid  thcl 
night,  the  men  being  confined  as  before  re-| 
lated,  and  the  negroes  lay  near  them  for 
guard. 

10th.  A  wet  fwamp,  that  was  very  troublc-l 
fome,  lay  in  their  road ;  after  which  they  had! 
to  pafs  a  rugged  mountain,  where  there  wasj 
no  patk*  The  undecbiuih  n?ade  it  hard  laboui 

tot 


(    »9    ) 

for  the  women  to  travel ,  but  no  excuft 
would  avail  with  their  fevere  mafters,  and 
they  were  compelled  to  keep  up  with  the 
Indians,  however  great  the  fatigue  :  when 
they  had  paflcd  it,  they  tarried  a  while  for 
the  negroes  who  had  lagged  behind,  having 
fufficient  employ  to  attend  to  the  colts  that 
earned  the  plunder.  When  all  the  company 
met  together,  they  agreed  to  rendezvous  ia 
an  adjoining  fwamp. 

nth.  A  long  reach  of  favannas  and  low 
ground  rendered  this  day's  route  very  fa- 
^gmng  and  painful,  efpecially  to  the  women  s 
thzabeth  Pcrt's  hulband  not  being  allow- 
ed  to  reheve  her  by  carrying  the  child,  her 
J^us  and  ftrength  were  fo%xhaufted  that 

whofe  care  fte  was,  obferving  h^r  diftrefr 
gave  her  a  violent  blow.  When  we  comDart 
the  temper  and  cuftoms  of  thefe  p^op^Hkh 
thofe  of  our  own  colour,  how  much  caufe 
have  we  to  be  thankful  for  the  flpJriorS 
we  derive  from  the  blefllngs  of  civiuSiL* 
It  might  truly  be  faid,  days  of  bitter  for- 
row,  and  wearifome  nights,  were  appo  nt<S 
the  unhappy  captives.  i'f"""at. 

1 2th.    1'heir  provifions began  to  Krowfcan^ 


•"^I 


llir 


Ih  I' 


was  much  incrcafed  by  their  confinement  at 
night.  Elizabeth  Gilbert  was  reduced  fo' 
low,  that  (he  travelled  in  great  pain  all  this 
day,  riding  on  horfeback  in  the  morning,, 
but  towards  evening  Ihe  was  ordered  tO' 
alight,  and  walk  up  a  hill  they  had  to  af- 
cend  ;  the  pain  flie  fufFered,  together  with 
want  of  food,  lb  overcame  her^  that  flie  was 
fcized  with  a  chill :  the  Indians  adoiiniftered 
fome  flour  and  water  boiled,  which  afforded" 
her  fome  relief. 

13th.  Laft  night's  medicine  being  repeat- 
ed, they  continued  their  march,  and  after  a 
long  walk,  were  fo*  effectually  worn  down^ 
that  they  halted.  The  pilot,  John  Hufton, 
the  elder,  took  Abner  Gilbert  with  him,  (as 
they  could  make  more  expedition  than  the 
reft)  to  procure  a  fupply  of  provifions  to 
relieve  their  neceffity. 

*  14th.  The  mother  had  fuffered  fo  macft, 
ftat  two  of  her  children  were  obliged  to  lead 
her.  Before  noon  they  came  to  Cknadofago, 
where  they  met  with  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun; 
and  Jeffe  Gilbert's  wife  Sarah,  two  of  the 
four  who  had  been  feparated  from  them  ten 
days  paft,  and  taken  along  the  Weflern  Path  : 
this  meeting  afforded  them  great  fatisfaClion  j 
the  doubt  and  uncertainty  of  their  lives  be- 
ing fpated  often  diftreffing  their  affectionate 
relations. 

Tnhn  Hufton.  iufi.  the  Indian,  under  whole 
care  Benjamin  Gilbert  was  placed,  deligning 


they 


to 


iCment  at 
:dnced  fo' 
n  all  this 
morning,, 
•dcrcd  to* 
ad  to  af- 
thcr  with 
at  flie  was 
niniftered 
r  affordcct 

\g  repcat- 
id  after  a 
)rn^  down^ 
[1  Hufton, 
him,  (as 
than  the 
vrifions  to 

fo  much, 
ed  to  lead 
nadofago, 
bert,  jun; 
vo  of  rhe 
them  ten 
:ern  Path ; 
:isfa6lion  ', 
lives  bc- 
flFedionatc 

ider  whole 

defigning 

to 


■i^i 


(  21  ) 

to  difpatch  him,  painted  him  black;  thistx^ 
^eedingly  terrified  the  family,  but  no  intreaties 
of  theirs  being  likely  to.prevail,  they  refiened 
their  caule  to  him  whofe  power  can  controul 
-all  events.    Weanied  with  their  weaknefs  and 
-travelling,    they   made    a    flop    to    recover 
tliemlelve^,  when  the  pilot  returnincr,  alTu- 
red  them  .they  fhould  foon  receive  fome  pro- 
•vihons.      The  negroes  were  reduced  fo  low 
with  hunger,  that  their  behaviour  was  diffe- 
rent from  what  it  had  been,  conducing  with 
-more  moderation.     At  their  quartersin  the 
'evening    two  white  men  came  to  them,  one 
of  which  was  a  volunteer  amongft  the  Britifh, 
the  other  had  been  taken  a  prifoner  fome  time 
i3efore  ;    thefe  two  men  brought  fome  horn- 
mony,  and  fugar  made  from  the  fweet  maplt, 
he  fap  being  boiled  to  .a  confiftency,  and  is 
but  a  little  inferior  to   the  fugar  imported 
from  the  iflands :    of  this  provifion,  and  an 
hedge-hog  which  they  found,  they  made  a 
more  comfortable  fupper  than  they  had  en. 
;oyed  for  many  days. 

15th.  In  the  morning  the  volunteer  having 

received  information  of  the  rough  treatment 

he  prifoners  met  mph  from  the  negroes,  re- 

heved  them,  by  taking  tbt  four  blacks  under 

T  ^^'^V  i  "^f  "°'  with9ijt  much  difficultr 
tney  crolTed  a  large  creet'^M^k  .»««  :^  .l^.I 

horfes  over 


XI 


»Jfc-       .      -^7~  -r  ^i"-""   i.u«-   iiuncs  over 

f^amin  Gilbert  began  to  fall ;    the 
&'  Indian, 


'  I 


<.i 


1 11 
';! 

ill  'i 


M: 


(      22      ) 

Indian,  whofc  property  he  was,  highly  xrrU 
tatcd  at  his  want  of  ftrcngth,  put  a  rope 
about  his  neck,  leading  him  along  with  it ; 
fatigue  at  lad  fo  overcame  him,  that  he  fell 
on  the  ground,  when  the  Indian  pulled  the 
rope  fo  hard,  that  he  almoft  choakcd  him  : 
his  wife  feeing  this,  rcfolutcly  interceded  for 
him,  although  the  Indians  bid  her  go  for- 
wards, as  the  others  had  gone  on  before 
them  J  this  (he  refufed  to  comply  with,  un- 
lefs  her  hufband  might  be  permitted  to  ac- 
company  her  ;  they  replied,  **  That  they 
<*  were  determined  to  kill  the  old  man,"* 
having  before  this  fet  him  apart  as  a  vic- 
tim :  but  at  length  her  intreaties  prevailed, 
and  their  hearts  were  turned  from  their  cruel 
purpofe.  Had  not  an  over-ruling  providence 
preferved  him  from  their  fury,  he  would  in- 
evitably have  perilhed,  as  the  Indians  feidom 
fhew  mercy  to  tHofe  whom  they  devote  to 
death,  which,  as  has  been  before  obfcrved, 
was  the  cafe  with  Benjamin  Gilbert,  whom 
they  had  fmeared  with  black  paint  from  this 
iTiOtive.  When  their  anger  was  a  little  mo- 
derated, they  fet  forwa;-ds  to  overtake  the 
reft  of  the  company  t  their  relations,  who 
had  been  eye-witneffes  of  the  former  part  of 
this    fcene   of  cruelty,    and   expefted   th^ 


m 


greatly  at  their  return,  confidering  their  fafety 
as  a  providential  deliverance. 


ifi 


*.fe- 


ghly  rrri. 
it  SL  rope 

with  it ; 
tat  he  fell 
)ulled  the 
kcd  him  : 
reeded  for 
rr  go  for- 
\yn  before 
with,  u li- 
ed to  ac- 
rhat  they 
Id  man,** 

as  a  vic- 
prevailed, 
heir  cruel 
jrovidencc 
would  in- 
ins  feidom 
devote  to 
obfcrved, 
;rt,  whom 
from  this 
little  mo- 
ertake  the 
ions,  who 
er  part  of 
idled   th^ 

their  Tafety 

1 6th. 


<     2J     ) 

*«*fe?«ff '""*"•,''  'rl"''^''  '""^  of  the  Indian* 
<o  fet    off  on   horfeback,    into  the  Senec, 

country,  in  fearch  of  provif.ons.     The  pri' 

foners.  in  the  mean  time,   were  ordered  to 

d.g  up  a  root    fomething  refcmbling  pota^ 

toes,    which    the   Indians  call  whoppanie.. 

They  tamed  at  this  place   mil  towards  the 

foun '"i  **^m"''  '^"""'''"g  '•"y-  «"d  made  . 
foup  of  wild  onions  and  turnip-tops ;  this 
they  eat  without  bread  or  fait,  it  could  no? 
therefore  afford  fufficient  fuft^nance.  eith« 
for  young  or  old  ,  their  food  being  fo  ve^ 
light,  their  ftrength  daily  wafted.  ^ 

17th.  .They  left  this  place,  and  croJed  the 
Genefee  nver,  (which  empties  its  waters  into 
1  ke  Ontario)  on  a  raft  of^logs,  bound  to«! 
ther  by  hickory  withes ;  thif  appeared  tX 
a  dangerous  method  of  ferrying  them  ov« 
fuch  a  river,  to  thofc  who  had  been  unac- 
cuftomed  to  fuch  conveyances.  They  fi4d 
their  ftation  near  the  Genefee  banki^  and 
procured  more  of  the  wild  potatoe  roots  be 
fore-mentioned  for  their  fupper! 

1 8th.     One  of  the  Indians  left  the  com 
pany    taking  with  him  the  fineft  horfc  thTy" 
^ad    and  ,n  fonie  hours  after  returned  with 

P^formed!    il^l.r".:',"!:'.'',^^.'^'^"'^""/ 

<at  for  a  long  t.me :   the  Indians'  when  it 

was 


M 


w 


?wf 


X   M   ) 

^was  fufficicntiy  boiled,  diftributed  to  each 
%nc  a  piece,  eating  fparingly  thenirelvc&. 
*Thc  prifoners  made  their  repait  without 
bread  or  fait,  and  ate  with  a  good  relilh, 
what  they  fuppofed  to  be  frcfli  beef,  but 
underftood  it  was  horfe-flefii. , 
*  A  Ihrill  halloo,wl-iCh  they  heard,  gave  the 
rrifonersfonie  uneafinefs  j  one  of  the  Indians 
immediately  rode  to  examine  the  cuufe,  and 
found  it  was  Capt.  Rowland  Monteur,  and 
his  brother  John's  wife,  with  fome  other  In- 
dians, who  were  feeking  them  with  provi- 
fion.  The  remainder  of  the  company  foon 
reached  them,  and  they  divided  fome  bread, 
which  they  had  brought,  into  fmall  pieces, 
according  to  the  number  of  the  company. 

Here  is  a  large  extent  of  rich  farming 
land,  remarkable  for  its  levelnefs  and  beauti- 
ful meadows.  ,  The  country  is  fo  flat,  that 
there  are  no  falls  in  the  rivers,  and  the  waters 
run  flow  and  deep  j  and  whenever  fhowers 
defctiiv;.  th-y  continue  a  long  time  muddied. 

T'  e  cap  ain  anu  his  company  had  brought 
with  them  cakes  of  hommony,  and  Indian 
corn  ;  of  this  they  made  a  good  meal.  He 
Appeared  pleafed  to  fee  the  prifoners,  having 
liecn  abfent  from  them  fcvcral  days,  and  or- 
dexed  them  all  round  to  fliake  hands  with 
Mm^  From  him  they  received  information 
rcfjjedmg  Joleph  Gilbert  and  Thomas  Peart,! 
who  wereieparated  from  the  others  oii  the  4th| 

inftant, 


'd  to  each 
hemlelvc*. 
il  without 
'>od  relilh, 
beef,    bu£ 

1,  gave  the 
the  Indians 
cuufe,  and 
>nteur;  and! 
e  other  In- 
mh  provi- 
apany  foon| 
)nae  bread, 
lall  pieces, 
)mpany. 
ch  farnningl 
and  beauti- 
0  flat,  thatl 
i  the  waters 
^er  ihowersi 
e  muddied, 
lad  brought! 
and  Indian 
meal.     He 
ers,  having 
ys,   and  or- 
hands  with 
informatioQ 
omas  Peart, 
s  Oil  the  4th 
inftant, 


(     *5     ) 

inftant,  that  they  had  arrived  at  the  Indian 
fettlemcnts,  fomc  time,  in  fafcty. 

The  company  ftaid  the  night  at  this  place. 
One  of  the  Indians  refuJ^d  to  fuffer  any  of 
them  to  come  near  his  fire,  or  converfe  with 
the  prifoncr,  who  in  the  diftribution  had  fallen 
to  him. 

19th.  Pounding  hommony  was  this  day's 
employment,  the  weather  being  warm  made 
it  a  hard  taflc;  they  boiled  and  prepare^  it 
for  fupper,  the  Indians  fetting  down  to  eat 
firft,  and  when  they  had  concluded  their 
meal,  they  wiped  the  fpoon  on  the  foal  of 
their  mockafons,  and  then  gave  it  to  %hc 
captives :  hunger  alone  could  prevail  on  any 
one  to  eat  after  fuch  filth  and  naftinefs. 

20th.  Elizabeth  Gilbert,  the  mother,  be- 
ing obliged  to  ride  alone,  miffed  the  path, 
for  which  the  Indians  repeatedly  ftruck  her. 
Their  route  ftill  continued  through  rich 
meadow;  After  wandering  for  a  time  out  of 
the  direcl  path,  they  came  to  an  Indian  town. 
and  obtained  the  neceffary  information  to 
purfue  their  jojrney :  the  Indians  ran  out  of 
their  huts  to  fee  the  prifoners,  and  to  partake 
of  the  plunder,  but  no  part  of  it  fuited  them. 
Being  direded  to  travel  the  path  back  again, 
for  a  fliort  diflance,  they  did  fo,  and  then 
Itruck  mto  another,  and  went  on  until  night, 
by  which  time  rh^v  w#»r*»  \7*»ft»  k.««^...   vik.^ 

Having  eat  fince  morning  j    the  kettle  was 


B 


agam 


,i''in\ 


rh  '4\ 


M  "!l 


iHi,., 


(        a^        ) 

Again  {et  on  the  fire  for  hommon' ,  this  be- 
ing their  only  food. 

2 1  ft.  The  report  of  a  morning-gun  from 
Niagaraj  which  they  heard,  contributed  to 
raife  their  hopes,  they  rejoiced  at  being  fo 
near.  An  Indian  was  difpatched  on  horfe- 
back,  to  procure  provifions  from  the  fort. 

Elizabeth  Gilbert  could  not  walk  as  faft  as 
the  reft,  fhe  was  therefore  fent  forwards  on 
foot,  but  was  foon  overtaken,  and  left  be-j 
hind,  the  reft  being  obliged  by  the  Indians 
to  go  on  without  regarding  her.  She  would | 
have  been  greatly  perplexed,  when  ftie  came 
to  a  divifion-path,  had  not  her  huft)and  lain! 
a  branch  acrofs  the  path  which  would  have| 
led  her  wrong:  an  affeding  inftance  of  bothi 
ingenuity  and  tendernefs.  She  met  feveralj 
Indians,  who  pafTed  by  without  fpeaking  to 
her. 

An  Indian  belonging  to  the  company,  who! 
was  on  the  horfe  Elizabeth  Gilbert  "had  rode, 
overtook  her,  and,  as  lie  went  on  flowly,  con- 
vcrfing  with  her,  endeavoured  to  alarm  her, 
by  faying,  that  ftie  would  be  left  behind,  and! 
perifti  in  the  woods;  yet,  notwithftanding 
this,  his  heart  was  fo  foftened  before  he  had 
gone  any  great  diftance  from  her,  that  he 
alighted  from  the  horfe  and  left  him,  that 
ihe  might  be  able  to  reach  the  reft  of  the 
'company.  The  more  ferioufly  ftie  confidered 
this/ the  more  it  aoneared  to  her.  to  be  al 

^on- 


convr 

teftio 

[man, 

:ourfc 

216 

labita 

lalloo 

m  anf 

he  coi 

t  to  p 

ians, 

:heir  j 

'ork. 

:he  ca 

laughi 

:as,    b 

was  ra 

;enera 

Inothei 

ly  the 

ian,  a 

:akcn  ; 

le  was 

ler,  ftii 

:hey  br 

>ly  of  ] 

:ance  b( 

lany  w 

ralutati< 

telling 
I., J  ^»- . 

'iiU    lili 


■■P-'V. 


(    ^7    ) 

[convincing  inftance  of  the  over-ruling  pro- 
tcflion  of  him,  who  can  «  turn  the  heart  of 
[man,  as  the  hu/bandman  turneth  the  water- 
kourfe  in  his  field.'* 

aad.  As  the  Indians  approached  nearer  their 
labitations,    they  frequently  repeated   their 
lalloos,  and  after  fonie  time,  they  received 
in  anfwer  in  the  fame  manner,  which  alarmed 
the  company  much}  but  they  foon  difcovered 
ft  to  proceed  from  a  party  of  Whites  and  In- 
dians, who  were  on  fome  expedition,  though 
their  pretence  was,  that  they  were  for  New- 
rork.     Not  long  after  parting  with  thefe, 
the  captain's  wife  car.ie  to  them;  fhe  was 
daughter  to  Siangorochti,  king  of  the  Senc- 
:as,    but  her  mother  being  a  Cayuga,   fhc 
Mras  ranked  among  that  nation,  the  children 
generally  reckoning  their  defcent  from  the 
liiother's  fide.     This  princefs  was  attended 
hy  the  captain's  brother,  John,  one  other  In- 
Iian,  and   a  white  prifoner,  who  had  been 
Ukcn  at  Wyoming  by  Rowland  Monteur- 
[he  was  drefled  altogether  in  the  Indian  man! 
ler,  mining  with  gold  lace  and  filver  baubles- 
hey  brought  with  them  fr  m  the  fort  a  funl 
ply  of  provifion.   The  captain  being  at  a  dif. 
tance  behind,    when  his  wife  came,  the  com- 
oany  waited  for  him.     After  the  cuilomary 
a  utations,  he  addrefled  himfelf  to  his  wife 
^eJhng  her^  that  Rebecca  was  her  daughter! 
--'  that  ilic  muft  not  be  induced,  by  any 

2  2  confider- 


/ 


I     ! 


1 


1 


J  ■ 


(       28      ) 

confideration,  to  part  with  her;  whereupon 
fhe  took  a  filver  ring  off  her  finger,  and  put 
it  upon  Rebecca,  by  which  fhe  was  adopted  as 
her  daughter. 

They  feafted  upon  the  provifions  that  were 
brought,  for  they  had  been  for  feveral  days 
before  pinched  with  hunger,  what  fuftenance 
they  could  procure  not  being  fufficient  to  fup^ 
port  nature. 

23d.  Their  fpirits  were  in  fome  degree  re- 
vived, by  the  enjoyment  of  plenty,  added  to 
the  pleafing  hope  of  fome  favourable  event 
;:)rocuring  their  releafement,  as  they  were  not 
Tar  diftant  from  Niagara. 

The  Indians  proceeded  on  their  journey, 
md  continued  whooping  in  the  mofl  frightful 
■nanner.  In  this  day's  route,  they  met  ano- 
ther company  of  Indians,  who  compelled 
*Jenjamin  Gilbert,  the  elder,  to  fit  on  the 
mund,  and  put  feveral  queftions  to  him,  to 
:ivhich  he  gave  them  the  bell  anfwers  he  could  j 
they  then  took  his  hat  from  him,  and  went  off. 

Going  through  a  fmall  town,  near  Niagara; 
an  Indian  woman  came  out  of  one  of  th( 
huts,  and  ftruck  each  of  the  captives  a  blow 
Not  long  after  their  departure  from  this  pla^-? 
JefTe,  Rebecca,  and  their  mother,  were  de- 
tained until  the  others  had  got  out  of  their 
fight,  when  the  mother  was  ordered  to  pulh 
on  :  and  as  ihe  had  to  go  by  herfelf,  flie  was 
much  perplexed  what  courle  to  take,  as  there 


ftraig 

fpace 

overt 

a  fho 

migh 

rum 

tv/o  ( 

worth 

who  I: 

Jeffe, 

and  p 

as  a  t< 

althoi 

and  b 

Th 

loads 

carry, 

expe6 

towns 

their 

but  tl 

the  dr 

proacl 

than  c 

the  CI 

tives  I 

men,  ' 

bringi 

them. 


(     29     ) 

was  no  path  by  which  fhe  could  be  dirededi 
in  this  dilenima,  fhe  concluded  to  keep  as 
ftraight  forward  as  poflible,  and  after  fome 
fpace  of  time,  fhe  had  the  fatisfadlion  of 
overtaking  the  others.  The  pilot  then  made 
a  fhort  flay,  that  thofe  who  were  behind 
might  come  up,  and  the  captain  handed  fome 
rum  round,  giving  each  a  dram,  except  the 
tv/o  old  folks,  whom  they  did  not  confider 
worthy  of  this  notice.  Here  the  captain, 
who  had  the  chief  diredion,  painted  Abner, 
JefTe,  Rebecca,  and  Elizabeth  Gilbert,  jun. 
and  prefented  each  with  a  belt  of  wampum, 
as  a  token  of  their  being  received  into  favour, 
although  they  took  from  them  all  their  hats 
and  bonnets,  except  Rebecca's. 

The  prifoncrs  were  releafed  from  the  heavy 
loads  they  had  heretofore  been  compelled  to 
carry,   and  was  it  not  for  the  treatment  they 
expeded  on    their   approaching   the  Indian 
towns,    and    the  hardfliip   of  a  feparation, 
their  fituation  would   have  been  tolerable^ 
but  the  horror  of  their  minds,  arifing  from 
the  dreadful  yells  of  the  Indians,  as  they  ap- 
proached   the    hamlets,    is  eafier  conceived 
than  defcribed,  for  they  were  no  ftrangcrs  to 
the  cuftomary  cruelty  exercifed  upon  cap- 
tives on  entering  their  towns:  the  Indians, 
men,  women,  and  children,  colled  together, 
bringing  clubs  and  flones,  in  order  to  beat 
them,  which  they  ufually  do  with  great  feve* 


B 


rity, 


11'  i''i 


U; 


(      30     ) 

rity,  by  way  of  revenge  for  their  relations 
who  have  been  flain;  this  is  performed  im- 
mediately upon   their  entering  the  village 
where  the   warriors  refide:    this   treatment 
cannot  be  avoided,  and  the  blows,  however 
cruel,  muft  be  borne  without  complaint,  and 
the   prifoners   are  forely  beaten,  until  theirj 
enemies  are  wearied  with  the  cruel   fport. 
Their  fufFcrings  were  in  this  cafe  very  grcatjl 
they  received  fcvefal   wounds,    and  two  ofl 
the  women  who  were  on   hode-back,  weref 
much  bruifed  by  falling  from  their  horfes, 
which  were  frightened  by  the  Indians.     Eli- 
zabeth, the  mother,  took  .heltcr  by  the  fide 
of  one  of  them,  but  upon  his  obferving  that 
ihp  met  with  fome  favour  upon  his  account, 
h^  fent  her  away ;  Ihe  then  received  fcveral 
Violent  blows,  fo  that  Ihe  was  almoft  dif- 
ablcd.     The  blood  trickled  from  their  heads 
in  a  ftream,  their  hair  being  cropt  clofe,  and 
the  cloaths  they  had  on,  in  rags,  made  their 
fituation  truly  piteous :  whilft  they  were  in- 
flidling  this  revenge  upon  the  captives,  the 
king  came,  and  put  a  (lop  to   any  further 
cruelty,  by  telling  them^  "  It  was  fufficient," 
which  they  immediately  attended  to. 

Benjamin  Gilbert,,  and  Elizabeth  his  wife,, 
Jcflfe  Gilbert,  and  his  wife,  were  ordered  to 
Captain  Rowland  Monteur's  houfc;  the  wo- 
men belonging  to  it  were  kind  to  them,  andL 
gave  them  fomething  to  eat:  Sarah  Gilbert  J 

Jeirc'if 


C   31    ) 

Jeffe's  wife,  was  taken  from  them  by  three 
women,  in  order  to  be  placed  in  the  family 
Ihe  was  to  be  adopted  by.  ' 

tl  Jj^n^'^o""  ?°"'  ^'"g"''*  ^°«'  Captains 
Dace  and  Pov/el,  came  to  fee  the  prifoners, 

and  prevent   (as   they  were  inforn'.ed)   an^ 

abufe  that  might  be  given  them :  Benlamin 

Gilbert  informed  thele  officers,   that  he  wis 

apprehenfive  they  were  in  great  danger  of 

him  they  would  fend  a  boat  the  next  day,  to 
bring  them  to  Niagara.  ' 

of  the  officers,  they  did  not:  derive  the  Z 

^ft?H  /  r""^''^'*''"  "'^°'-  '!'«=  Indians  in- 
.1,       ?"  t^'^l"  8°i"g  to  the  fort  on  foot    Z 

beforf  tr^'t'  "^'^  Y  ^«"  vcdT  d,; 
Detore,  from  the  many  feverc  blows  eivtn 
them,  rendered  their  journey  on  foot^wv 
diftreffing;  but  Captafn  Monteur  obfti.^ 
lypernfting,  they  dare  not  long  remonAl^: 

When  they  left  the  Indian  town,  feveral 

Inlt  ■"'H'  '5"'^  ''"''  «^'«^  them,  with  ftTcS 
LaVc  ''?'*''  '''"'"g  '"d  fcreech  ns  in  a 
moft  difmal  manners  but  through  the  inter 

come  with  d'°"'"  '""''"   "''"'^".    i  had 

pr  ferved      ^"^7   T'f '   '''"'''  '^ey  were 

SZtn7ZjL'^'?}  -'^'king  between 

"      -  —'"WW  aiiu  nis  wue,  led  them, 

^4  and 


I'  f 


(  J^  ) 

and  dcfircd  JcfTe  to  keep  as  near  them  as  he 
could  I  the  other  three  walked  behind,  and 
prevailed  with  the  young  Indians  to  defift. 
Ihcy  had  not  purfued  their  route  long,   be- 
fore   they   law   Captain   John   Powel,    who 
can^e  from  his  boat,  and  perfuaded  (though 
with  fome  difficulty)  the  It  dians  to  get  into 
It,  with  the  captives,  which  relieved  them 
from   the  apprehenfions   of  further  danger. 
After  reaching  the  fort,  Captain  Powel  in- 
troduced  them  to  Col.  Guy  Johnfon,  and  Col. 
Butler,  who  afked  the  prifoners  many  quef- 
tions,  in  the  prefence  of  the  Indians.     They 
prefented  the  Captain  with  a  belt  of  wam- 
pum, which   is  a    conftant  pradtice  among 
them,  when  they  intend  a  ratification  of  the 
peace.     Before  their  connexion  wich  Euro- 
peans, thcfe  belts  were  made  of  fhells,  found 
on  thecoafts  of  New-Englarni  and  Virginia^, 
which  were  fawed  out  into  beads  of  an   ob- 
long (hape,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  long, 
which   when   ftrung    together    on    leathern 
firings,  and  thefe  Itrings  faftencd  with  fine 
threads  made  of  finews,  compofe  what  is  cal- 
led, a  belt  of  wampum  :  but  fince  the  whites 
have  gained  footing  among  them,  they  make 
ufe  of  the  common  glafs  beads  for  this  pur- 
pofe. 

The  Indians,  according  to  their  ufual  cuf- 
tom  and  ceremony,  at  three  feparate  times, 
ordered  the  prifoners  to  fhakc  hands  with 
Col.  Johnfon. 

25th, 


C    33    ) 

25th.  Benjartiin  Gilbert,  Elizabeth  fil. 
wife,  and  Jefle  Gilbert,  were  forrendered  to 
Col.  Johnfon  :  this  deliverance  from  fuch 
fcenes  of  diftrefs,  as  they  had  become  ac- 
quainted with,  gave  them  a  more  free  oo. 
portun.ty  of  clofe  refleftion  than  heretoforfc. 

Ihe  manyforrowful  days  and  nights  they 
had  paffed,  the  painful  anxiety  attendant  on 
their  frequent  feparation  from  each  other. 
and  the  uncertainty  of  the  fate  of  the  reft 
of  their  family,  overwhelmed  them  with 
grief. 

,1  ^^  j'''n.  ^xpremon  is  too  weak  to  defcribe 

Itj  t  f'  °^  '^"'''"g  '^'^'"-  "Children  with 
thele  hard  matters  j  they  were  not  unac- 
quainted with  many  of  the  difficulties,  to 
which  they  would  neceflarily  be  expofed  in  a  " 
refidence  amongft  Indians,  and  the  lofs  which 
the  young  people  would  fuftain,  for  want  of 
a  civilized  and  Chriftian  education. 

k\XtkJ'fV^"  ^'='P°"'^'"g  fituation,  the 
kmdnefs  of  fympathy  was  awakened  in  one 
ot  the  Indian  women,  who  even  forgot  her 
prejudices,  and  wiped  away  the  tears  which 
trickled  down  Elizabeth  Gilbert's  cheeks 

1  he  particular  attention  of  Col.  Johnfon's 
houfekeeper  to  them,  from  a  commiferation 
of  their  diftrefs,  claims  their  remembranw" 
Bfnjamin.  h.s  wife,  and  Jefle  Gilbert,  were 
L1!i^l5«  A-  hpufe,  wLe  fhe  not  ^n" 
°^^  toiiis  her  beft  room,  but  ad'- 
S  5  mjniftered 


Iii«'l 


« 


(    34    ) 

miniftered  to  their  neceflities,  and  endeavour- 
ed to  footh  their  forrows, 

JefTc  Gilbert  was  favoured  to  get  employ, 
which,  as  it  was  fome  alleviation  of  hisi 
misfortunes,  may  be  confidered  a$  a  provi-i 
dential  kindnefs. 

28th.  A  few  days  after  they  came  to  the 
fort,  they  had  information  that  Benjamin 
Peart  was  by  the  river  fide  with  the  Indians  J 
upon  hearing  this  report,  his  mother  went 
to  fee  him,  but  every  attempt  for  his  re-l 
leafe  was  in  vain,  the  Indians  would  by  no 
means  give  him  up.  From  this  place  they| 
intended  to  march  with  their  prifoner  to  the 
Genefee  River,  about  an  hundred  miles  dif-^ 
tance.  As  the  afFedtionate  mother^s  folicita- 
tions  proved  fruitlefs,  her  fon  not  only  fek 
the  affliaing  lofs  of  his  wife  and  child,  from] 
whom  he  had  hej^n  torn  fome  time  before,] 
but  a  renewal  of  his  grief,  on  this  (hort  fighi 
of  his  parent :  fhe  procured  him  a  hat,  anc 
alfo  fome  fait,  which  was  an  acceptable  bur- 
den for  the  journey* 

Benjamin  Gilbert,  converfing  with  the  In- 
dian captain  who  made  them  captives,  obferv* 
ed  that  he  might  fay  what  none  of  the  othei 
Indians  could,  *<  That  he  had  brought  in  the 
«  oldeftman,  and  the  youngell  child  j"  hisj 
reply  to  this  was  expreflivei  "  It  was  not  iJ 
*«  but  the  great  God  who  brought  you] 
**  through,  for  we  were  determined  to  kill 
"  you>  but  were  prevented." 

Th( 


i  3S-  r 

T  Ponu"'^  officers,. being  acquainted  that 
Jeffe  Gilberts  wife  wa^  among  the  Indians, 
with-great  tendernefs  agreed  to  feek  her  cut! 
and  after  a  diligent  enquiry,  found  that  flic 
was  among  the  Dclawares;  they  went  to  them, 
and  endeavoured  to  agree  upon  terms  fo^ 
her  releafement }  the  Indian*  brought  her  to 
the  fort  the  next  day,  but  would  not  eive 
her  up  to  her  relations.  ^ 

29th.     As  the  cabins  of  the  Indians  were 

ther  ,nH'"T'^'^'°'"^  ''!.'=  ^°"'  '^^y  '^^"f  'hi- 
ther, and  Jefle  and  the  officers  ufed  every 

argument  m  their  power  to  prevail  upoi 
them,  reprcfcnting  how  hard  it  was  to  part 
fi^^'T°u^°""S  peoples  at  length  they  cm- 
fcnted  to  bnng  her  in  next  day.  with  thdr 
whole  tribe,  for  a  final  releafe. 

30th.  They  accordingly  came,  but  fliaried. 
fo  many  pbjeaions,  that^L  was  ob  iSdlo 
return  with  them.  ^ 

31ft.  Early  next  morning  O  •.  Robefnn 
generoufly  undertook  to  profure  h  ritrty 
which,  after  much  attention  and  folicitude' 
he  together  with  Lieutenant  Hillyard  han 
piiy  accomplilhed.  They  gave  the  inH;  P" 
feveral  fmall  prefents,  an^  fave  ttm  .S 
pounds  as  a  ranfom. .  ^ 

ber^'fU^r''  f^u^"J  ^^'^  obtained  her  li. 
berty,  flie  altered  her  drels  more  in  charafter 

for   her  fex,  than  Ihe  had  been  Lble  to  do 

.„-....^,i.  .^i^  i.^uiau»y  dnU'  went  to  her 


B  6 


huihAnd 


» 

nufband  and  parents  at  Col.  Johnfon's,  where 
ihe  was  joyfully  received. 

Col.  johnfon's  honfekeeper  continued  her 
kind  attentions  to  them,  during  their  (lay 
here,  and  procured  clothing  for  them  from 
the  king's  flores. 

6th  Month,  id.  About  this  time  the  Se- 
necas,  among  whom  Elizabeth  Peart  was 
captive,  brought  her  with  them  to  the  fort  -, 
as  foon  as  th<r  mother  heard  of  it,  fhe  went  to 
her,  and  had  fomc  converfation  with  her,  but 
could  not  learn  where  (he  was  to  be  fcnt  to ; 
fhe  then  enquired  of  the  interpreter,  and  pref- 
fcd  on  his  friendfhip,  to  learn  what  was  to 
become  of  her  daughter  j  this  requeft  he  com- 
plied with,  and  informed  her  that  fhe  was  to 
be  given  away  to  another  family  of  the  Se^ 
necas,  and  adopted  amor>g  them,  in  the  place 
of  a  deceafed  relation.  Capt.  Powel  inte- 
refted  himfelf  in  her  cafe  liicewife,  and  offer- 
ed to  purchafe  her  of  them,  but  the  Indians 
refufed  to  give  her  up  i  and  as  the  mother  and 
daughter  expelled  they  fhould  fee  each  other 
no  more,  their  parting  was  very  affe(^ing. 

The  Indian  woman  who  had  adopted  Re- 
becca as  her  daughter,  came  alfo  to  the  fort, 
and  Elizabeth  Gilbert  made  ufe  of  this  op- 
portunity to  enquire  concerning  her  daugh- 
ter J  the  interpreter  informed  her,  there  was 
no  probability  of  obtainihg  the  enlargement 
of  her  child,  as  the  Indiana  would  not  part 

with 


in's,  where 

tinucd  her 
their  (lay 
hem  from 

c  the  Se- 
Peart  was 

the  fort  i 
le  went  to 
h  her,  but 
e  fcnt  to; 

and  pref- 
at  was  to 
\  he  corn- 
he  was  to 
f  the  Se^ 

the  place 
wel  inte- 
md  ofFcr- 
e  Indians 
other  and 
ach  other 
fling. 
)pted  Re- 
r  the  fort, 

this  op- 
T  daugh- 
there  was 
argement 

not  part 
with 


(    37    ) 

with  her:  all  fhe  could  do,  was,  to  recom- 
mend her  to  their  notice,  as  very  weakly,  and 
of  confequence  not  able  to  cndirc  much 
fatigue. 

2d.  and  3d.    Not  many  days  after  their  ar- 
rival at  Niagara,  a  veflel  came  up  Lake  On- 
tario to  the  fort,  with  orders  for  the  prifonera 
to  go  to  Montreal.     In  this  veffel  came  one 
Capt.  Brant,  an  Indian  chief,  high  in  rank 
amongft    them.     Elizabeth    Gilbert    imme- 
diately applied  herfclf  to  folicit  and  intcreft 
hirn  on  behalf  of  her  children,  who  yet  re- 
mained in  captivity ;  he  readily  promifcd  her 
to  ufe  his  endeavours  to  procure  their  liberty. 
A  fhort  time  before  they  failed  for  Montreal^ 
th^y  received  accounts  of  Abner  and  Eliza- 
beth Gilbert  the  younger,  but  it  was  alfo  un- 
derflood  that  their  poffeflbrs  were  not  dif- 
pofed  to  give  them  up.     As  the  profpef:  of 
obtaining  the  releafe  of  their  children  was  fo 
very  difcouraging,  it  was   no  alleviation   to 
their  didrefs,  to   be  removed  to  Montreal, 
where,  in  all  probabiliry,  they  would  feldom 
be  able  to  gain  any   information  refpe<fling 
them  i    on  which  account  they  were  very  fo- 
licitous'to  llay  at  Niagara,  but  the  Col.  faid 
they  could  not  remain  there,  unlefs  the  fon 
would   enter  into    the  king's   fervice;    thi* 
could   not   be   confented  to,  therefore  they 
chofe    to    fubmit  to  every  calamity   which 
might  be  permitted  to  befal  them,  and  con- 
fide in  the  great  controller  of  events. 

Here 


Hi 


TP!' 


I  ^ 

f 


% 

-^t. 


m 


(  38  ) 

Here   they  became  acquainted  witFv  one] 
Jcflc  Pawling,  from  Pennfylvania,   who  was 
an  officer  among  the   Britifli,   and    behaved 
with  kindnefs  and  rcfpea:   to  the  prifonersj 
which  induced  them  to  requcft  his  attention 
Mo  to  that  part  of  the  family  remaining  inl 
captivity  j  it  appeared  to  them  of  fome  con- 
fcqucnce  to  gain  an  additional  friend.     The| 
Col.  alio  gave  his  promifc  to  exert  himfeli 
on  their  behalf. 

After  continuing  ten  days  at  Col.  John-I 
fon*s,  they  took  boat  in  the  forenoon  cf  the 
ad.  being  the  fixth  day  of  the  week,  and 
croffed  the  river  Niagara,  in  order  to  go  on 
board  the  veflel,  which  lay  in  Lake  Ontario, 
for  Montreal.  The  officers  procured  necef- 
iaries  for  their  voyage  in  great  plenty,  and 
tkmy  were  alfo  furnilhed  with  orders  to  draw 
more  at  certain  places,  as  they  might  have 
occafion :  thefe  civilities  may  appear  to  many 
to  be  too  trivial  to  be  mentioned  in  this  nar- 
rative; but  thofe  who  have  been  in  equal 
diftrefs,  will  not  be  infenfible  of  their  value. 

4th.  The  veflel  failed  down  the  Lake  on 
the  fixth  day  of  the  week,  and  on  firft-day 
following,  being  the  fourth  day  of  the  fixth 
month,  1780,  came  to  Carlton  Ifland,  where 
there  were  fuch  a  number  of  imall  boats, 
which  brought  provifions,  that  it  had  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  fleet.  Benjamin  Gilbert  and| 
Jeflie  went  on  fliorc  to  obtaia  leave  from 

the 


(    39    ) 

the  commanding  officer  to  go  to  Montreal 
in  the  fmall  boats,  as  the  vcflcl  they  came 
in  could  proceed  no  further :  they  met  with 
a  kind  reception,  and  their  rcqucll  was 
granted. 

5th.  On  fecond  day  foUowing,.  they  kft 
Carlton  Ifland,  which  lies  at  the  mouth  of 
Lake  Ontario,  and  took  their  paflage  in  open 
boats  down  the  river  St.  Laurence,  andpaffcd 
a  number  of  fmall  iflands.  There  is  a  rapid 
defcent  in  the  waters  of  this  river,  which  ap- 
pears dangerous  to  thofe  unacquainted  with 
thefe  kind  of  falls.  The  Frenchmen,  who 
rowed  the  boats,  kept  them  near  the  fhore, 
and  paflcd  without  much  difficulty  between 
the  rocks. 

6th,  7th,  and  8th,    Benjamin  Gilbert  had 
been  much  indifpofed   before  they  left  the  ^ 
fort,  and  his  diforder  was  increafed  by  a  raiig?* 
which  fell  on  their  paflage,  as  they  were  with- 
out any  covering.     They  palfed  Ofwagatchy, 
an  Enghih  gariifon,  by  the  fide  of  the  river, 
but  they  were  not  permitted  to  ftop  here ;. 
they  proceeded  down  the  St.  Laurence,  and 
the  rain  continuing,  went  on   fhore  on  an 
ifland,  in  order  to  fecure  themfelves  from  the 
weather :  here  they  made  a  Ihelter  for  Ben- 
jamin  Gilbert,  and  when  the  rain  ceafed,  a 
place  was  prepared  for  him  in  the' boat,  that 
he  might  lie  down  with  more  eafe.     His  bo*. 
dily  weakncis  made  fuch  raoid  nroaref^.  i-k-/ 

it 


fnm 


Ift^^l 


(    40     ) 

it  rendered  air  the  care  and  attention  of  his 
wife  neceflary,  and  likewife  called  forth  all 
iier  fortitude  5  (he  fupported  him  in  her  arms, 
affording  every  poffible  relief  to  mitigate  his 
extreme  pains :  and  although  in  this  diftrcf- 
fed  condition,    he,  notwithftanding,   gave  a 
fatisfadory  evidence  of  the  virtue  and  power 
of  a  patient  and  holy  refignation,  which  can 
difarm  the  king  of  terrors,  and  receive  him 
as  a  welcome  meffenger.    Thus  prepared,  he 
pafTcd  from  this  (late  of  probation,  the  eighth 
day  of  the  fixth  month,  1780,  in  the  even- 
ing, leaving  his  wife  and  two  children,  who 
Avcre    with  him,  in  all  the  anxiety  of  deep 
diftrefs,  although    they  had   no   doubt,   but 
thit  their  lofs  was  his  everlafting  gain.     Be- 
>  i^g  without  a  light  in  the  boat,  the  dark- 
t^  of  the  night  added  not  a  little  to  their 
%jelancholy  fituation.     As  there  were  not  any 
others  with  Elizabeth  Gilbert  but  her  chil- 
dren,   and  the  four  Frenchmen  who  managed 
the  boat,  and  her  apprehenfions  alarmed  her, 
left  they  fhould  throw  the  corpfe  overboard,  as 
they  appeared  to  be  an  unfeeling  company  j 
fhe  therefore  applied  to  fome  Britifli  officers 
who  were  in  a  boat  behind  them,  who  difpel- 
led  her  fears,  and   received  her  under  their 
protedion. 

9th.  In  the  morning  they  pafTed  the  garri- 
fon  of  Coeur  de  Lac,  and  waited  for  fome 
confiderable  time  a  fmall  diftance  below  if. 


'Squin 

prifoni 

berths 

of  this 

put  th< 

under 

boat-It 

the  lafl 

of  her 

on  this 

fenfibh 

difpenf 

which  ; 

voured 

tions,  J 

Near 

which  i 

ed  into 

being  \ 

to  turn 

pcnfe  01 

The 

with  an 

fo  dangi 

further ; 

ing,  am 

fort  La: 

houfes  i 

it  was  V 

room  be 

to.    and 

'Squire    itenothe 


)n  of  his 
^orth  all 
ler  arms, 
gate  his 
I  diftrcf- 
gave  a 
i  power 
lich  can 
ive  him 
ircd,  he 
e  eighth 
e  even- 
Jn,  who 
of  deep 
bt,   but 
1.     Bc- 
'  dark- 
:o  their 
not  any 
2r  chil- 
lanaged 
ed  hefj 
Dard,  as 
npany  j 
officers 
difpcJ- 
T  their 

J  garri- 
r  fome 


(     41     ) 

'Squire  Campbell,  who  had  the  charge  of  the 
prifoners,  when  he  heard  of  Benjamin  Gil- 
bert's deceafe,  fent  JefTe  to  the  comrmndant 
of  this  garrifon  to  get  a  coffin,  in  which  they 
put  the  corpfe,  and  very  haftily  interred  him 
under  an  oak  not  far  from  the  fort.  The 
boat-men  would  not  allow  his  widow  to  pay 
the  laft  tribute  to  his  memory,  but  regardlcfs 
of  her  afflidtion,  refufed  to  wait;  her  diftrefs 
on  this  occafion  was  great  indeed,  but  being 
fenfible  that  it  was  her  duty  to  fubmic  to  the 
difpenfations  of  an  over-ruling  providence, 
which  are  all  ordered  in  wifdam,  Ihe  endea- 
voured to  fupport  herfelf  under  her  afflic- 
tions, and  proceeded  with  the  boat-men. 

Near  this  place  they  paffed  by  a  grift-mill, 
which  is  maintained  by  a  (tone  wing  cxjend^*^ 
ed  into  the  river  St.  Laurence  j  the  ftrt    n   W 
being  very  rapid,  acquires  a  force  fufficient 
to  turn  the  wheel,  without  the  further  ex- 
pcnfeofadam. 

The  current  carried  their  boat  forwards 
with  amazing  rapidity,  and  the  falls  became 
io  dangerous,  that  the  boats  could  proceed  no 
further ;  they  therefore  landed  in  the  even- 
mg,  and  went  to  the  commanding  officer  of 
fort  Lafheen  to  requeft  a  lodging,  but  the 
houfes  in  the  garrifon  were  fo  crowded,  that 
It  was  with  difficulty  they  obtained  a  fmall 
room  belonging  to  the  boat-builders  to  retire 

to.     anH    hi^rp-    t-U/BkjT    (i-^,.,^ri    *U- r-i-.-_    — --^k 

ten  others. 

.    loth.  Thr 


!  p.  li 


'Tit 


ill  II 


(  42  y  I 

•n  '°r^;  r^^^  garrifon  of  Laflieen  is  on  tht] 
Jfleof  Jefu,  on  which  the  town  of  Montreal 
itands,    about  the  diftance  of  nine   miles- 
hither  our  travellers  had  to  go  by  land,  and 
as  they  were  entirely  unacquainted  with  the 
i^oad,  they  took  the  advantage  of  an  emptyl 
cart  (which  was  going  to  the  town)  for  thcl 
women  to  ride  in.  I 

The  land  in  this  neighbourhood  is  vcryl 
ftony,  and  the  foil  thin  i  the  cattle  fmall J 
and  ill  favoured.  I 

^  When  they  arrived  at  Montreal,,  they  werel 
introduced  to  Brigadier  General  MCleanJ 
who  after  examining  them,  fent  them  to  oncl 
Duquefne,  an  officer  amongft  the  loyaliftsj 
Who  being  from  home,  they  were  defired  tol 
***^ait  in  the  yard  until  he  came  y  this  want  oj 
pohtenefs  gave  them;  no  favourable  imprefJ 
lions  of  the  mafter  of  the  houfej  when  hel 
jretuf  ned  he  read  their  pafs,  and  gave  Jeirel 
an  order  for  three  days  provifions.  I 

Daniel  M'Ulphin  received  them  into  hisi 
f ?"f  5  by  ^^^^  they  were  treated  with  greaJ 
kindnefs,  and  the  women  continued  at  hisI 
houfe,  and  worked  five  weeks  for  hirn.  | 

Jcfle  Gilbert  met  with  employ  at  ThoJ 
mas  Bufby's,  where  he  lived  very  agreeablyl 
for  the  fpace  of  nine  months.  I 

Elizabeth  Gilbert  had  the  fatisfaaion  of  anl 
eafy  employ  at  Adam  Scptt's,  merchant,  hav-P 
mg  the  luperintcndence  of  his  kitchen:  buti 

about! 


his 


m 


(    43     ) 

about  Cix  weeks  after  Ihe  engaged  in  his  fer^ 
vice,  JefTe's  wife  Sarah  was  taken   fick   at 
Thomas  Bufby's,  which  made  it  neceflary  for 
her  moth/^r  to  difengage  herfclf  from  the  place 
where  fhe  was  fo  agreeably  fituated,  in  order 
to  niirfe  her.     Thefe  three  were  favoured  to 
be  confidered  as  the  king's  prifoners,   having 
rations   allowed   them;    this  affiftance  was 
very  comfortable,  but  Elizabeth's  name  be- 
ing crafed  out  of  the  lift  at  a  time  when  they 
needed  an  additional  fupply,  they  were  much 
fl:.aightened:  upon  an  application  to  one  CoU 
Campbell,  he,  together  with  'Squire  Camp- 
bell, took  down  a  (hort  account  of  her  fuf- 
ferings  and  fituation,  and  after  preparing  a 
concife  narrative,  they  applied  to  the  Briga- 
dier General^  to  forward  it  to  General  Hsl«»^ 
dimand  at  Quebec,  defirijig  his  attention  to 
the  fufFerers,  who  fpcedily  iffued  his  orders 
that   the  relcafement  of  the  family  Ihould 
be  procured,  with  particular  injundions  f<# 
every  garrifon  to  furnifh  them  with  ncccfia* 
ries  as  they  came  down. 

As  foon  as  Sarah  Gilbert  recovered  from 
her  indifpofition,  her  mother  returned  ta 
Adam  Scott's  family. 

Thomas  Gomerfom  hearing  of  their  fitua- 
tion,  came  to  fee  them  j  he  was  educated  a 
Quaker,  and  had  been  a  merchant  of  New- 
K^?    1-^^^  ti'avelled  with  Robert  Walker  in 

—  r ---,».«  ^    .rf«j,j  «j^vu  iiic  vUiiiiiiCnCc- 

ment 


liisreii(rin 


'I  ' 


i!i  i; 


(     44     ) 

mcnt  of  the  war,  had  deviated  from  his, 
former  principles,  and  had  loft  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  friend,  wearing  a  fword  :  he 
behaved  with  refped  to  the  prifoners,  and 
made  Elizabeth  a  prefent. 

The  particular  attention  of  Col.  Clofs,  and 
the  care  he  fhewed  by  writing  to  Niagara, 
on  behalf  of  the  captives,  as  he  was  entirely 

a  ftranger  to  her,  is  remembered  with  gratil 
tude.  ° 

As  there  was  an  opportunity  of  hearing 
from  Niagara,  it  gave  them  great  pleafure 
to  be  informed  that  Elizabeth  Gilbert  was 
amongft  the  white  people,  fhe  having  ob- 
tained her  releafe  from  the  Indians,  prior  to 
the  others. 

Sarah   Gilbert,  wife  of  Jefle,    becoming 

a  mother,  Elizabeth  left  the  fervice  (he  wal 

engaged  m,  Jeffe  having  taken  a  houfe,  that 

Ihe  might  give  her  daughter  every  necef- 

lary    attendance;    and    in    order    to    make 

their  fituation   as    comfortable   as   poffible, 

they  took  a  child  to  nurfe,  which  added  a 

httlp  to  their  income.     After  this,  Elizabeth 

Oilbert  hired  herfelf  to  iron  a  day  for  Adam 

Scott;    whilft  Ihe  was  at  her  work, : a  little 

girl  belonging  to  the  houfe,  acquainted  her 

that  there  were  fome  who  wanted  to  fee  her, 

and  upon  entering  into  the  room,  flie  found' 

fix  of  her  children  j    the  joy  and  furprife  fhe 

telt  on  this  occafion  were  beyond  what  we 

Ihali 


itii'i. 

ifi!  -w 


d  from  his 
all  the  ap* 
fword  :    he 

ifoners,  and 


of  hearing 
at  pleafure 
jilbcrt  was 
laving  ob- 
is, prior  to 

beconiing 
ice  (he  was 
loufe,  that 
ery   necef- 

to    make 

5   poffibJe, 

h  added  a 

Elizabeth 

for  Adam 

k,  ;a  little 

ainted  her 

to  fee  her, 

file  found 

Jrprife  fhe 

,  what  we 

fhali 


(     45    ) 

fliall  attempt  to  defcribe.  A  mefTenger  was 
(ent  to  inform  Jefie  and  his  wife,  that  Jofcph 
Gilbert,  Benjamin  Peart,  Elizabeth  his  wife, 
and  young  child,  Abner  and  Elizabeth  Gil- 
bert, the  younger,  were  with  their  mother. 
It  muft  afford  very  pleafing  reflexions  to  any 
affedionate  difpofition,  to  dwell  a  while  on 
this  fcene,  that  after  a  captivity  of  upwards 
of  fourteen  months,  fo  happy  a  meeting  fhould 
take  place. 

Thomas  Peart,  who  had  obtained  his  li- 
berty,  and  tarried  at  Niagara,  that  he  might 
be  of  fervice  to  the  two  yet  remaining  in 
captivity,  viz.  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun.  and 
Kebecca  Gilbert. 

Abigail  Dodfon,  the  daughter  of  a  neio-h- 
bouring  farmer,  who  was  taken  with  th?m 
having  inadvertently  informed  the  Indians  flie 
was  not  of  the  Gilbert  family,  all  attempts 
for  her  liberty  were  fruitlefs. 

We  Ihall  now  proceed  to  relate  how  Tofeph 
Gilbert,  the  eldeft  fon  of  the  deceafed,  fared 
amongft  the  Indians:  he,  with  Thomas 
mrt,  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun.  andJeflcGil- 
bert  s  wife  Sarah,  were  taken  along  the  Weft- 
ward  Path,  as  before  related  ;  after  fome  fhorc 
continuaiice  in  this  path,  Thomas  Peart  and 
Joleph  Gilbert  were  taken  from  the  other 
two,  and  by  a  different  route,  through  many 
difhculties,  they  were  broup-ht  to  Caracal../ 
Where  they  received  the  infSlts  of  the  women 

and 


#- 


mi 


yj 


(     4^     ) 

and  children,  whofe  hu/bands  or  parents  had 
fallen  in  their  hoftile  excurfions. 

Jofeph  Gilbert  was   feparated    from    his 
companion,  and  removed  to  an  Indian  villa, 
called   Nundow,    about    feven    miles  from 
Caracadera;    his  refidcnce  was,   for  feveral 
weeks,  in  the  king's  family,  whofe  hamlet 
was  fuperior  to  the  other  fmall  huts.     The 
king  himfelf  brolrght  him  fome  hommony, 
and  treated  him  with  great  civility,  intending 
his  adoption  into  the  family,  in  the  place  of 
one  of  his  fons,  who  was  flain  when  General 
Sullivan  drove  them  from  their  habitations. 
As  Nundow    was   not   to  be   the  place  of 
his  abode,  his  quarters  were  foon  changed, 
and  he  was  tak-en  back  to  Caracadera  j    but 
his  weaknefs  of  body  was  fo  great,  that  he 
was  two   days  accompiilliing  this  journey, 
which  was^  only  feven  miles,  and  not  able  to 
procure  any  other  food  than  roots  and  herbs, 
the  India  oeconomy  leaving  them  without 
any  provifions   to   fubfift  on.      Here   they 
adopted  him  into  the  family  of  one  of  the 
king's  fons,  informing  him,  that  if  he  would 
marry  amongfl:  them,   he  fhould  enjoy  the 
privileges  which  they  enjoyed ;  but  this  pro- 
pofal  he  was  not  difpofcd  to  comply  with ; 
and  as  he  was  not  over  anxious  to  conceal 
his  diflike  to  them,  the  fufFerings  he  under- 
went  were  not  alleviated.     The  manner  of 
his  life  difFcrinsr  fo  much  fmm  wllo^  k»  n^^ 

before 


(    47    ) 

jefore  been  accuftomed  to,  having  to  eat  the 

wild  roots  and  herbs  before-mentioned,  and 

as  he  had  been  lame  from  a  child,  and  fubi. 

'jeft  to  frequent  indifpofitions.  it  was  requifite 

for  him  to  pay  more  attention  to  his  weak 

habit  of  body,  than  his  captors  were  willing 

le  lliould.     When  the  mafter  of  the  family 

fis  at  home,  the  refpeft  he  fhewed  to  Jofeph. 

ind  his  kindnels  to  him,  rendered  his  fitua- 

non  more   tolerable    than  in  his  abfencc. 

p-requently  fuffenng  with  hunger,  the  privi- 

pge  of  a  plenteous  table  appeared  to  him 

as  an  incftimable  bleffing,  which  claimed  the 

Ia""^ /r^''^".""  °*"  gratitude:    in  fuch  a 
diltrefled  fituation,  the  hours  rolled  over  with 
a  tedioufnefs  almoR  infupportable,  as  he  had 
no  agreeable  employ  to  relieve  his  mind  from 
the   refleftions  of  his  forrowful   captivity  • 
this   manner  of  life  continued  about  three 
months,  and  when  they  could  no  longer  pro- 
cure a  luppiy   by   their  hunting,   Seceffity 
compelled  them  to  go  to  Niagara  Fort  for 
provihon.     The  greater  number  of  the  In- 
dians  belonging  to  Caracadcra  attended  on 
this  journey,  in  order  to  obtain  a  fupply  of 
provifionsi  their  want  of  oeconomy  being  fo 
great   as  to  have  confumed  fo  early  as  the 
eighth  month  all  they  had  raifed  the  laft 
\lh^.'  ^"V^«  Prefent  crops  unfit  to  gather: 
he,r  profufe  manner  of  ufing  their  fcfnt  pit- 
Itance  of  t^rr»w;ii,>r.    n     •         .     .  * 

famine. 


IflSl! 


(     48     ) 

ikminc,  after  a  fhort  time  of  feafting.  They 
tomputc  the  diftancc  from  Caracadera,  to 
Niagara  fort,  to  be  of  130  miles  j  on  this 
ourncy  they  were  upwards  of  five  days, 
raking  fome  venifon  in  their  route,  and  fcaft-l 
ing  with  great  greedinefs,  as  they  had  been] 
\  long  time  without  meat. 

When  they  reached  the  fort,  they  procured] 
clothing  from  the  king*s  (lores  for  Jofepli 
Gilbert,    fuch  as   the  Indians   ufually  wear 
themfelves,  a  match-coat,  leggings,  &c.  His 
indifpofition  confined  him  at  Col.  Johnfon's 
for  feveral  days,  during  which  time  the  Bri- 
tiih  ofiiccrs  endeavoured  to  agree  with  the 
Indians  for  his  releafement,  but  they  would 
not  confcnt.     The  affliding  account  of  the| 
death  of  his  father,  which  was  here  commu- 
nicated to  him,  fpread  an  additional  glooml 
on  his  mind.     After  continuing  at  the  fort! 
about  four  weeks,  the  Indians  ordered  himl 
back  with  them  ;    this  was  a  fore  ftroke,  tol 
leave  a  degree  of  eafe  and  plenty,  and  refume 
the  haidfhips  of  an  Indian  life  :    with  this 
uncomfortable  profpedt  before  him,  added  to 
his  lamenefs,  the  journey  was  toilfome  and 
painful.  They  were  iive  days  in  their  return, 
and  when  they  arrived,    their  corn  was  ripe] 
for  ufe  i    this,  with  the  advantage  of  hunt- 
ing,    as  the  game   was  in  its  greateft  per- 
feSion,  furnilhed  a  prefent  comfortable  fub- 
fiilence. 

Jofephl 


(     49     ) 

Jtfvf'Th'^  permiffion  to  vifit  his  fello* 

captive,  Thomas  Peart,  who  was  at  a  fmall 

town  of  the  Indians,  about  feven  miles  diff 

ance    called  Nundow.  to  whom  he  commt 

"■cated   the  forrowful  intelligence  of  thri^ 

mother's  widowed  fituation.  '" 

At  the  firft  approach  of  fprine     Tor^ryh 

Clbert  and  his  adopted  brother  ^emJS 

hemfelves  ,n  procuring  rails,  and  repairS 

the  fence  about  the  lot  of  ground  thev  in? 

*nded  to  plant  with  corn;    as  this  na«  nf 

kltr^  ^he  grain  was  allotted  to ^hm^ 

the 'planting  and  culture  was  affiened  to  th^ 

llT"'  /^i^hufbandry  being^al together 
performed  by  the  hoe.  """cetner 

The  Indian  manner  of  life  waslJy  no  mean, 
agreeable  to  Jofeph  Gilbert;    thefr  irreTula 
f  y  in  their  meals  was  hard  for  him  to  & 
hWien  they   had  provifions   in  plenty    the' 

H  7i  "°uP'""  °^  '^°""=fti':  oeconomV  bu^ 
mdulged   their  voracious  appetites     whtk 

fceed°ef  "^^'^   their  ftoclc,^^:^ra'  fgS 

h  have  recourfe  again  to  the  wild  herbS 
1    r°'''  f^  ^"'^  ^°  "-educed  for  Stff 

Cfta'ta^ittLri^^^^^^ 
md  roafted  it.  "  '"^  ""^at 

In  officer  from  the  fort  came  down  to  e« 

re  into  the  fituation  of  the  Indians/u;on" 

^  obferving 


M 


t 


,1.  I 


'li 


'1! 


<      50      ) 

obrcrving  the  low  condition  Jofeph  was  in, 
r.ot  being  likely  to  continue  long  without 
fome  relief,  which  the  officer  privately  af- 
forded, he  being  permitted  to  frequent  his 
houfe,  he  advifed  him  by  flight,  to  endea- 
vour an  efcape  from  the  Indians,  informing 
him  that  he  had  no  other  expedient  for  his 
rcleafc  ;  .this  confirmed  him  in  a  refolution 
he  had  for  fame  ti-^e  been  contemplating, 
but  his  lamenefs  and  weak  habit,  for  want  of 
proper  fuftenance,  rendered  it  imprafticable 
to  make  fucli  an  attem|3t  at  that  time,  and  it 
would  require  much  care  and  attention  to 
his  own  health  and  ftrcngth,  to  gatker  fuf- 
ficicnt  for  fuch  an  undertaking;  he  therefore 
made  ufe  of  the  liberty  allowed  him  to  vifit 
the  officer,  and  partake  of  his  kindnefs  and 
affiftancc,  that  he  might  be  prepared  for  the 

journey.  . 

Embracing  a  favourable  opportunity,  when 
the  iren  were  generally  from  home,  fome  in 
their  war  expeditions,  and  fome  out  hunt- 
ing,, he  left  them  one  night  whilft  the  family 
fle'^it,  and  made  the  beft  of  his  way  towards 
ISiagara  fort,  following  the  path,  as  he  had 
^nce  .before  gone  along  it.  Having  a  fmall 
piece  of  bread  which  he  took  from  the  hut, 
he  made  a  h:ifly  repaft,  travelling  day  and 
night,  in  otdei  to  efcape  from  the  further 
diftreflet;  of  captivity.  As  he  neither  took 
any  Qeep,  or  other  food  by  the  way  than  the 

piece 


;ph  was  in, 
ig  without 
ivately  af- 
•equcnt  his 
to  endea- 
informing 
ent  for  his 
I  refolutioa 
:emplating, 
for  want  of 
ipra6ticable 
ime,  and  it 
ittention  to 
gath.er  fuf- 
le  therefore 
him  to  vifit 
indnefs  and 
ired  for  the 

unity,  when 
ne,  fome  in 
;  out  hunt- 
:  the  family 
vay  towards 
k,  as  he  had 
ing  a  fmall 
om  the  hut, 
ug  day  and 
the  further 
leither  took 


vay 


^1 *Ua 

piece 


(     51     ) 

pwce  of  bread  mentioned,  for  the  two  day^ 
and  nights  he  purfued  his  journey,  he  was 
much  fatigued  when  he  reached  the  fort,  and 
he  experienced  the  efft-dts  for  feveral  days 
Upon  his  applying  to  Col.  Johnfon,  he  was 
iiolpitably  entertained,  and  the  next  day  faw 
three  of  the  Indians  whom  he  had  left  at  the 
town  when  he  fet  off. 

After  a  few  days  (lay  here,  as  moO:  of  the 
f^imily  v/ere  difcharged  from  captivity,  and 
waiting  for  a  paOage  to  Montreal,  a  velT^l 
was  fitted  to  take  ti.em  on  board,  in  order 
to  proceed  down  the  lake. 

We  come  next  to  Benjamin  Peart,  who 
remamed  the  firft  night  ufter  his  arriving  at 
the  Indian  huts,  with  his  wife  and  child,  but 
was  feparated  from  them  the  next  day,  and 
taken  about  a   mile  and  an  half,   and  pre- 
icnted  to  one  of  the  families  of  the  Seneca 
nation,  and  afterwards  introduced  to  one  of 
their  cJiiefs,    who   made    a   long   harangue, 
which  Benjamin  did  not  iinderftand.     The 
Indians  then  gave  him  to  a  Squaw,  in  order 
to  be    -eccived  as   her  adopted   child,    who 
ordered   him  to   a  private  h*it,    where  the 
women  wept  over  him  in  remembrance  of 
the  relation  in  whofe  ftead  he  was  received  • 
atcer  this  be  went  witJi  his  mother  (by  adoD- 
tion)    to    Niagara   river,    about    two   miles 
below  the  great  falls,  and  ibid  here  feveral 
->  .uv;i  vvcac  CO  tiie  tort  on  their  way  to 

C  a  the 


%4--^ 


Ill 


ill  ll 


W' 


iiJUiJji., 


C  54   ) 

.the  Gcnefee  River,  where  he  had  the  plea* 
fure  of  convcrfing  with  his  mother,  and  re- 
ceiving information  concerning  his  wife  and 
child  J  but  even  this  fatisfadion  was  (hort- 
Jivcd,  for  he  neither  could  obtain  pcrmiflTion 
to  vifit  his  wife,  nor  was  he  allowed  to  con- 
vcrfe  freely  with  his  mother,  as  the  Indians 
hurried  him  on  board  their  bark  canoes, 
where  having  placed  their  provifions,  they 
proceeded  with  expedition  down  the  Lake  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Gencfee  Rivtr ;  the  com- 
puted di (lance  from  the  fmall  village  to  the 
mouth  of  the  river  being  one  hundred  miles, 
and  from  thence  up  the  Genefee  to  the  place 
of  their  deftination,  thirty  miles  j  in  their 
paflage  up  the  river  they  were  about  five 
days,  and  as  the  falls  in  this  river  near  its 
^entrance  into  Lake  Ontario  has  made  a  car- 
rying-place of  about  two  miles,  they  drag- 
ged their  canoe  this  diftance  to  the  place  of  I 
boating  above  the  falls.  There  were  nine 
Indians  of  the  party  with  them.  They  fre- 
quently caught  fiQi  by  the  way. 

It  no  doubt  was  a  fore  affiiflion  to  Ben- 
jamin, to  be  fo  far  removed  from  his  wife 
and  child  whilft  among  the  Indians:  pati- 
ence and  refignation  alone  could  endure  it. 

When  the  party  arrived  at  the  place  of 
their  defigned  fettlement,  they  foon  ereftcd 
a  fmall  hut  or  wigwam,  and  the  ground 
being  rich  and  level,  they  began  with  their 

plan- 


planta 
who  hi 
Sufqu( 
in  Per 
ment, 
ufe  th 
Thefe 
Peart'i 
tlieir  ( 
doing 
much 
His 
health; 
had  no 
affliftei 
him  n 
ed!y  e 
knowL 
proved 
\'inter 
Their 
weakl) 
than  1 
even  o 
tite  in 
fufficie 
pany  ( 
viilted 
tov/n  1 
ci£hte< 
nities  < 

diftrefs, 


ic  pica* 
and  rc- 
kvife  and 
IS  (hort- 
TmiflTion 
I  to  con- 
;  Indians 
canoes, 
ns,  they 
Lake  to 
lie  com- 
;e  to  the 
;d  miles, 
he  place 
in  their 
>out  five 
near  its 
ie  a  car- 
icy  drag- 
place  of  I 
ere  nine 
rhey  fre- 

to  Ben- 

his  wife 
IS :  pati- 
iure  it. 
place  of 
1  ereftcd 
I  ground 
viti'i  their 
plan- 


(     S3     ) 

plantation  of  Indian  corn.  Two  white  men 
who  had  been  taken  prifoners,  the  one  from 
Sufquehanna,  the  other  from  Minifinks,  both 
in  Pennfylvania,  lived  near  his  new  fettlc- 
ment,  and  were  allowed  by  the  Indians  to 
life  the  horfes,  and  plant  for  themfelves. 
Thefe  nnen  lightened  the  toil  of  Benjamin 
Peart's  fervitude,  as  he  was  frequently  in 
tlieir  company,  and  he  had  the  liberty  of 
doing  fomething  for  himfelf,  though  without 
much  fuccefs. 

His  new  habitation,  as  it  was  not  very 
healthy,  introduced  frcfh  difBcultics,  for  he 
had  not  continued  here  long,  before  he  was 
afflifted  with  ficknefs,  which  preyed  upon 
him  near  three  months,  the  Indians  repeat- 
ediy  endeavouring  to  relieve  him  by  their 
knowledge  in  fimples,  but  their  endeavours 
proved  ineffeftual  i  the  approach  of  the 
vinter  feafon  afi-orded  the  relief  fought  for. 
Their  provifion  was  nor  very  tempting'  to  a 
weakly  conftitution,  having  nothing  elfc 
than  hommony,  and  but  ihorc  allowance 
even  of  that,  infomuch  tnat  wher  his  appe- 
tite increafed,  he  could  not  procure  food 
fufHcient  to  recruit  his  ftrcngth.  The  com- 
pany of  his  brother  Thomas  Peart,  who 
viLted  him,  was  a  great  comfort,  and  as  the 
tov/n  he  lived  at  was  but  the  diftance  of 
eighteen  miles,  they  had  frequent  opportu- 
j"n"~  --'''   •-•''"•-iv-iii^  Willi  ciiLii  utiici  in  tiicir 

diftrefs. 

C  3  The 


1  I 


t 


Im      'il 


(     54     ) 

.v^f^'    The  Indian  men  being  abfent  on  one  of 
^  their  war  excurfions,    and  the  women  em- 
ployed in  gathering  the  corn,  left  Benjamin 
Peart  much  leifure  to  reflect  in  folitude. 

Towards  the  beginning  of  the  winter  fea- 
fon  the  men  returned,  and  built  themfelves 
a  log  houfe  for  a  granary,  and  then  removed 
about  tv/enty  miles  from  their  fettlement 
into  the  hunting  country,  and  procured  a 
great  variety  of  game,  which  they  ufually 
eat  v/ithout  bread  or  fair.  As  he  had  been 
with  the  Indians  for  feveral  months,  their 
language  became  more  familiar  to  him. 

Hunting  and  feafting  after  their  manner 
being  their  only  employ,  they  foon  cleared 
the  place  where  they  fettled  of  the  game, 
which  made  a  fecond  removal  neceflary,  and 
they  are  fo  accuftomed  to  this  wandering 
life,  that  it  becomes  their  choice. 

They  fixed  up  a  log  hut  in  this  fecond 
hunting-place,,  and  continued  unril  the  fecond 
month,  when  they  returned  to  their  firft  fet- 
tlement, though  their  (lay  was  but  a  few 
days,  and  then  back  again  to  their  log  hut. 

A  heavy  rain  failing  melted  fome  of  the 
fnow,  which  had  covered  the  ground  about 
two  feet  deep. 

The  whole  family  concluded  upon  a  jour- 
ney to  Niagara  Fort  by  land,  which  was 
completed  in  feven  days.     At  the  fort  he  had 

the  faiisfaftinn  of  rnnverfinor  wvrh    Kic    bm- 

*_►    "■         -  -- 

ther 


V-rbib**^' 


tber  Thomas  Peart,    and  the  fame  day  hisr 
wife    alfo   came   from   Buffalo  Creek,    with' 
die  Senecas  to  the  fort  -,  this  happy  meeting, 
after  an  abfence  of  ten   months,  drew  tears'* 
of  joy  from  them.      He  mide  an  inquiry 
after  his  child,  as  he  had  neither  heard  from' 
it  or  the  mother  fmce  their  feparation.    The" 
Indians    not  approving  of  their  converfing* 
much  together,  as  they  imagined  they  would* 
remember  their  former  fituation,  and  become* 
lefs  contented  with  their  prefent  manner  of 
life,  they  feparated  them  again  the  fame  day,, 
and  took  Benjamm*s  wife  about  four  miles' 
diftancej  but  the  party  with  whom  he  came, 
permitted  him  to  flay  here  feveral  nights ; 
and  when  the  Indians  had  completed  their 
purpofe  of  trafRck,    they  returned,    taking- 
him  fome  miles  back  with  them  to  one  of 
their  towns ;  but  upon  his  telling  them  he 
was  defirous  of  returning  to  the  fort  to  pro-- 
cure    fomething  he   had    before    forgot,    in- 
order  for  his  journey,  he  was  permitted.     As- 
he  (laid  the  night,  his  adopted  brother  the 
Tndian   came  for  him  ;    but  upon   his  com- 
plaining that  he  was  fo  lame  as  to  prevent 
his  travelling  with  them,  they  fuffered  him 
to  remain  behind. 

He  continued  at  the  fort  about  two  months 
before  the  Indians  came  back  again,  and  as 
he  laboured  for  the'  white  people,  he  had  an 

nnnrvrf II n If  17  r\T    •rM«/^r>iit-ir>rr   Cn]f   ^t^-r^xrlfi^-,    C^ 

"IT"-  "-'-"-"■■•'/     ~''     piv~«iii;^    itiii    ^l\J^-  lkk\Jlk    iiUiii 

C  4  the 


f  ^=^lf 


I'  ,1.1   !i 


(    ss    ) 

the  king's  ftores,  which  had  been  for  a  long 
time  a  dainty  to  him. 

When  one  of  the  Indians  (a  fecond  adopt- 
ed brother)  came  for  him,  Benjamin  went 
v^ithhim  to  Capt.  Powel,  who  with  earned 
iolicitations,    and  fome  prcfents,    prevailed 

*upon  the  Indian  to  fuffer  him  to  ftay  until 
l^eturned  from  his  war  expedition  j    but 
IS  was  the  lafl  he  ever  made,  as  he  loft  his- 
lite  on  the  frontiers  of  New- York. 

After  this  another  Captain  (a  third  adopted 
brother)  came  to  the  fort,  and  when  Bcnja- 
min  Peart  faw  him,  he  applied  to  Adjutant 
Oeneral  Wilkinfon  to  intercede  for  his  releafe, 
who  accordingly  waited  upon  Col.  Johnfon 
and  other  oificers,  to  prevail  with  them  to 
cxerc  themfelves  on  his  behalf;  they  con- 
cluded to  hold  a  council  with  the  Indians 
for  this  purpofe,  who,  after  fome  delibera- 
tion, furrendered  him  up  to  Col.  Johnfon, 
for  which  he  gave  them  a  valuable  compen- 
fation. 

Benjamin  Peart,  after  his  releafe,  was  cm- 
ployed  in  Col.  Johnfon's  fcrvice,  and  con- 
tinued with  iiim  for  fcveral  months.  Hig 
child  had  been  rcleafed  for  fome  time,  and 
his  wife,  by  earneft  intreaty  and  plea  of  fick- 
nefs,  had  prevailed  with  the  Indians  to  per- 
mit her  ftay  at  the  fort,  which  proved  a 
gr^at  confolatipn  ajii  gog^fprt  iifter  fo  long 
4  fepar^ti9^» 

About 


(     S7     ) 
About  the  middle  of  the  eighth  month 
there  was  preparation  made  for  their  pro- 
ceeding to  Montreal,  as  by  this  time  there 
were  fix  of  the  prifoners  ready  to  go  in   a 
fhip  which  lay  in  Lake  Ontario,  whofe  names 
were  Jofeph   Gilbert,    Benjamin  Peart,    his 
wife  and  child,  Abner  Gilbert,  and  Eliza- 
beth Gilbert  the  younger.     Thefe  went  on 
board  the  vefiel  to  Charlton  Ifland,  which  is 
as  far  as  the  large  veflels  they  ufe  in  the  lake 
can  proceed  i  the  remainder  of  the  way  (on 
account   of   the    frequent    Ihoalsj    they  arc 
obliged  to  go  in  fmaller  boats. 

The  commanding  officer  at  Niagara  pro- 
cured a  fuitable  fupply  of  provifion,  and 
turnilhed  them  with  orders  to  draw  more  ac 
the  feveral  garrifons,  as  occafion  required 

In  two  days  they  arrived  at  the  upper  end 
at  Charlton  Ifland,  and  went  to  the  com- 
mander in  chief  to  fhew  their  pafi^,  and  ob- 
tain  what  they  were  in  need  of.  Afterwards 
I  they  continued  on  to  the  garrifon  of  Ofwa- 
gotchy,  by  the  fide  of  the  river  St.  Lau- 
rence, m  an  open  boat  rowed  by  four 
frenchmen,  this  clafs  of  people  being  chicEy 
[employed  in  laborious  fervices. 

The  ftream  was  fo  rapid,  and  full  of  rocks 
that  the  prifoners  were  too  much  alarmed  to 
remain  m  the  boat,  and  concluded  to  o-o  on 
W  until  they  paired  the  danger;  bul  the 
Irrenchmpn.    wkrk    haH    K«i»«    ^ n--.^  j 

^  5  thcfe 


ri 


f       w 


(  58  ) 

ttiefe  wild  and  violent  rapids  (the  loneeft  of! 
which  IS  known  by  the  name  of  the  Jong  Sou) 

tinued  for  the  diftance  of  fix  miles,  and  they 
viewed    It  with  a   degree  of  Iiorror,    their 
heads  becoming  almoft  giddy  with  the  pro- 
Ipea.     When  the  boats  had  iliot  the  falls 
they  again  went  on  board,    and  continued 
down  the  riyer  to  Cour  de  Lac.     No  great 
diftance     below    this    thev    anchored,    and 
landed    at    the    place    where    their    father 
was   interred     fhedding  many  tears  of  filial 
affecStion    to  h^s  memory.     They  afterwards 
applied  to    the   commanding  officer  of  the 
garrifon    for    provifions   and    other    necef- 
lanes;  they  then  bid  adieu  to  this  folemn. 
Jpot  of  forrow,  and  proceeded  to  Laflieen, 
which  they  reached   the   twenty-fourth' day 
of  the  eighth  month,  havijig  been  eight  days 
on  their  voyage. 

After  refrelhing  themfekes  at  this  garrifon 
they  fet  forward  on  foot  for  Montreal,  which 
they  reached  the  fame  day.  They  went  to 
the  Brigadier  General,  and  fhewed  him  their 
paflTport,  and  as  foon  as  at  liberty  waited  on 
their  mother  at  Adam  Scott's,  as  has  beeivl 
already  related. 

^  The  fituation  of  Elizabeth  Peart,  wife  oF| 
Benjamin,  and  her  child,  is  next  to-  be  re- 
lated., 

^/^€[  ^f  and  the  child  were  parted  fron>| 
ner  uulband,  Abigail  iJodfon  and  the  child 

were 


lie  longeft  of 
he  Jong  Sou) 
g  fccne  con- 
ies, and  they 
lorror,    their 
'ith  the  pro- 
ot  tht  falls, 
d  continued 
.     No  great 
:hored,    and 
their    father 
-ars  of  filial 
y  afterwards 
"ficer  of  the 
ther    necef- 
this  folemn 
to  Lafheen, 
-fourth'  day 
n  eight  days 

hjsgarrilbn, 
treal,  which 
ey  went  to 
d  him  their 
/  waited  on 
Ls  has  beeivl 

art,  wife  of  | 
to  be  re- 
ar ted  fron>| 
I  the  child 


C     59     ) 

were  taken  feveral  miles  in  .he  night  to  a 
little  hut,  where  they  (laid  till  morning,  and 
the  day  following  were  taken  within  eight 
miles  of  Niagara,  where  Ihe  was  adopted 
into  one  of  the  families  of  Senecas  j  the 
ceremony  of  adoption  to  her  was  tedious 
and  diftreaing ;  they  obliged  her  to  fit  down 
with  a  young  man  an  Indian,  and  the  eldeft 
chieftain  of  the  family  repeating  a  jargon  of 

wordsto  her  unintelligible,  butwhich  ihe  con- 
fidered  as  fome  form  amongft^  them  of  mar- 
riage, arid  this  apprehenfion  introduced  the 
mod  violent  agitations,  as  fhe  was  deter- 
mined, at  all  events,  to  oppofe  any-  ftcp  of 
this  nature  J  buc  after  the  old  Indian  con- 
cluded his  fpeech,  fhe  was  relieved  from  the 
dreadful  cmbarraffment  fhe  had  been  under,, 
as  fhe  was  led  away  by  another  Indian. 

Abigail  Dodfon  was  given  the  fame  day 
to  one  of  the  families  ot  the  Cayuga  nation,- 
fo  that  Elizabeth  Peart  faw  her  no  more. 

The  man  who  led  Elizabeth  from  the- 
company  took  her  into  the  family  for  whom 
they  adopted  her,  and  introduced  her  to  her 
parents,  brothers  and  fitters  in  the  Indian 
flile,  who  received  her  very  kindly,*  and 
made  a  grievous  lamentation  over  her  accord- 
ing to  cuftom.  After  fhe  had  been  with 
them  two  days,  the  whole  family  left  their 
habitation,  and  went  about  two  miles  to 
Fort  Slufher,  where  they  flaid  feveral  davs. 


C  6 


Thi» 


.  I. 


(  fe  ) 

ThU  fore  is  abom  one  mile  above  Niagwa 

wefe'  Jetai^^fH  T'^  /"f 'Poftd,  the  Indians 
we  detained  feveral  days  for  her  •  but  a, 

tVn"7u    'J"'^  ^°^  ''^^'  ^'^  was  oLiiged  ta 
r  °"  'h^  damp  ground,  which  prevented 

aer  abated  of  its  violence,  they  fet  offin  -i 

fl^wly    thev  td     '''''    '"'^    ^^  ^''^y  went 
fome  filh^  ^  ^'^  ""  opportunity  of  taking 

•  .^^^?  r'"^>'  ^'"^^d  at  tfi«  place  of  their  I 

Fm  Ser  '^J^r^''  ^'^'^  Elizabeth  to  I 
^?.i  r''"^'''  when  fhe  was  told  her  child  I 

affli^-'"  "^'"  ir">'  ^'•°'"  her;  this  was  tru  J  I 

aiBifting,  but  all  remonftrances  were  in  vain    I 

From  tort  SluAer  /he  travelled  on  foot'  I 

carrying  her  child  to  Niagara,  it  bein  J^S  I 

teen  m.les,  and  in  fultry  weather,  rendefed  I 

«  a  painful  addition  to  th'e  though  s  of  p'rt    I 

ing  with  her  tender  ofispring.     The  intent  I 

^A""  Jf"^"<=y  was  to%b?ain  p  ovifion"    I 

and  their  Uay  at  the  fort  was  of  fevers    day*  I 

Sirirh-ho^jir"^^^^^-^^'^'-^^^^^ 

wcat  With  u  scmik  the  rwei:  to  adopt  it  into. 

the 


l!^i)u 


bove  Niagara 

the  Indians 
^ler ;  but  as 
s  obliged  to 
:h  pFevented 
IS  her  difor- 
'  Tet  off  in  a 
ded,  intend- 
s  they  went 
y  of  taking 

ace  of  their 
[)  Ib.ore,  and 

to  this  new 
ili^abeth  ta 
I  her  child 
is  was  truly 
ere  in  vain., 
ed  on  foot, 
Deing  eigh- 
^  rendered 
Its  of  part- 
The  intent 
provilipns>, 
^vera]  days, 
led  her  aa 

^  her>  and- 

)pt  it  into 

the 


(    ^i     ) 

fttJr^ V^'^  i^^  ^%"^d  for  it,  notwith. 

^!        f  i^T-  ^^^^^'  ^t  his  wife's  reoueft 
interceded  that   it  mif^hr   n^^  I       ^*^^"^'*» 

from  its  mother  but^a  it  L  'r''"'"^'^ 
they  returned  u  t^  tSrm;\h^:re/rt/aTf> 
Tt.  TV  ^^^^*  ^'  convenient  '^1:,^J 

Obtaining  the  proviflon  and  other  ner^f 
fanes    they  came  to  Niagara  to   trade  fn. 
they  returned  to  Fort  Sluflier  on  /'7%^o^> 
whence  they  embarked  i^therr^,^^^^^^^^ 
being  near  the  time  of  plan cbg^^herVed 
much  expedition  in  this  jouraeyf         ^ 

ml  to  riri  '""^  ^ri^'^y  ^"  ^  ^^^^y  fall. 

groun'/alf^pltifj^co:,"  ^^^^^^  ^he 
Their  provifion  beijie  fcant  tU^.r  r  (r  » 
much  and  03  th,ir  dep^Sce  |f,^"S* 
cient  fupply  untrl  the  iatherin^  Zt  ."„ 
was  on  what  they  fho5d  reTefve  from  °lfr 
fort,  they  were  «nder  the  neceffi  y  of  mTk^nf 
a  fecond  journey  thither.  ^      making 

They  were  two  days  on  the  road  =.f  ,»,• 
time.     A  fmall  diftance  before  fh^  ""* 

the  fort,  they  took  her  Sw  ^7!  '.°^ 
fent  >t  to  its  deftined  familv  and  ;?1  V  "''^ 
tal  months  before  ftie  had  ,n  '^^'.^^''«- 

feeing  it  again      AfteVh.1       °PPO«"nity  oC 

.    -  --.«.-.  *fVA  w*i,iiiig  aixani;,  was  a 

fcvere 


#- 


ii"!l 


(     62     ) 

fcvcre  ftroke :  fhe  lamented  her  condition, 
and  wept  forcly,  for  which  one  of  the  Indi- 
ans inhumanly  ftruck  her.  Her  Indian  father 
feemed  a  little  moved  to  behold  her  'b  dif- 
treficd  ;  and  in  order  to  confole  her,  affurcd 
her  they  would  bring  it  back  again,  but  fhe 
faw  it  not  until  the  fpring  following. 

After  they  had  difpofed  of  their  peltries, 
they  returned  to  their  habitation  by  the  fame 
route  which  they  had  come. 

With  a  heart  opprefled  with  forrow,  Eliza- 
beth trod  back  her  fteps,  mourning  for  her 
loft  infant  •,  for  this  idea  prefented  itfelf  con- 
tinually to  her  mind;  but  as  ihe  experienced 
how  fruitlefs,  nay,  how  dangerous,  folicitations 
in  behalf  of  her  chik.  were,  fhe  dried  up  her 
tears,  and  pined  in  fecret. 

Soon  after  they  reached  their  own  habitation, 
Elizabeth  Peart  was  again  afflidled  with  fick- 
xiefs.  At  the  fir  ft  they  fhewed  fome  attention 
to  her  complaints ;  but  as  fhe  did  not  fpeedily 
recover  fo  as  to  be  able  to  work,  they  dif- 
continued  every  attention,  and  built  a  fmall 
hut  by  the  fide  of  the  corn-field,  placing  her 
in  it  to  mind  the  corn.  In  this  lonely  con- 
dition fhe  faw  a  white  man,  who  had  been 
made  prifoner among  the  Indians:  he  inform- 
ed her  that  her  child  was  releafed,  and  with 
the  white  people  ♦,  this  information  revived 
her  drooping  fpirits,   and  a  fliort  time  after 

<Vi*»    rprnvprpf^   nf  her    indifnofifinri-    hnf    her 

employment 


# 


(     ^3     ) 

employment  dill  continued  of  attending  the 
corn  until  it  was  ripe  for  gathering,  which  Ihe 
afhfted  m.  When  the  harveft  was  over,  they 
permitted  her  .to  return,  and  live  with  them. 

A  time  of  plenty  commenced,  and  they 
lived  as  if  they  had  fufficient  to  lall  the  year 
through,   faring   plcntcouny  every   day. 

A  drunken  Indian  came  to  the  cabbin  one 
day,  and  the  old  Indian  woman  complaining 
to   him  of  Elizabeth,  his  behaviour  exceed- 
ingly terrified  her ;    he  ftormed  like   a  fury 
and  at  length  Uruck  her  a  violent  blow,  which 
laid  her  on  the  ground ;  he  then  began  to  puU 
her  about,  and  abufe  her  much,  when  another 
ot   the  women   interpofed,    and    refcued  her 
^'S1     r  ^r^'  differing  :  fuch  is  the  Ihocking 
eftcdl  of  fpintuous  liquor  on  thefe  people- 
it  totally  deprives  them  both  of  fenfe  and  hu^ 
manity. 

A   tedious    winter  prevented   them   from 
leaving  their  habitation,  and  deprived  her  of 
the  pleafure  of  hearing  often  from  her  friends 
who  were  very  much  fcattered ;    but  a  prifon- 
er,  who  had  lately  feen  her  hufbaand,  inform- 
ed her  of  his  being  much  indifpofed  at  the 
Genefee  River,  which   was   upwards   of  one 
hundred  miles  diftance  :  on  receiving  this  in- 
telligence,  fhe  flood  in  need  of  much  con- 
folation,  but  had  nofource  of  comfort,  except 
in  her  own  bofom. 

Kcar 


^ 


,  i 


if!|;^n:'" 


(         64         ) 

Near  the  return  of  fprlng  their  provifion 
failing,  they  were  compelled  to  go  off  to  the 
fort  for  a  frelh  fupply,  having  but  a  fmall 
portion  of  corn,  which  they  allowanced  out 
once  each  day. 

Through  fnow  and  fevere  froft  they  went 
for  Niagara,  fuffering  much  from  the  ex- 
ceflive  cold.  And  when  they  came  within  a 
few  miles  of  the  fort,  which  they  were  four 
days  accomplifhing,  they  flruck  up  a  fmall 
wigwam  for  fome  of  the  family  with  the 
prifoncrs  to  live  in  until  the  return  of  the 
"warriors  from  the  fort. 

As  foon  as  Capt.  PowelPs  wife  heard  that 
the  young  child's  mother  had  come  with  tne 
Indians,  fhe  defired  to  fee  her,  claiming  fome 
relationfhip  in  the  Indian  way,  as  Ihe  had  alfo 
been  a  prilbner  amongft  them.     They  granted 
her   requefl,   and  Elizabeth  was  accordingly 
introduced,    and    informed  that  her  hufband 
was  returned  to  the  fort,  and  there  was  fome 
cxpedations   of  his  rekafe.      The  fame  day 
Benjamin    Peart  came  to  fee  his  wife,    but 
could  not  be  permitted  to  continue  with  her, 
as  the  Indians  infifted  on  her  going  back  with 
them  to   their  cabbin,  which,  as  has  been  re- 
lated, was  fome  miles  diftant. 

Elizabeth  Peart  was  not  allowed  for  fome 
days  to  go  from  the  cabbin,  but  a  white  family, 
who  had  bought  her  child  from  the  Indians 
to  vdiom  it  had  been  prefented^,  offered  the 

party 


party  > 
bottle 
Ithe  rivi 
lighted 

|ing,    a 
'ight  IT 

Iwhere 

returne* 

ifter   J 

niflion 

leedle  • 

ifForded 

length  C 

to  fuffej 

loufe,  n 

granted. 

)n  the  c 

nth  the 

this  meai 

faking  hi 

As  th 

lade  ufe 

)arture; 

le  appli( 

Into  a  be 

ind  they 

[wo  week 

Her  cl 

ler  arriva 


provlfion 
off  to  the 
It  a  fmall 
uiced  out 

hey  went 
the    ex- 

within  a 
vere  four 
>  a  fmall 
with  the 
rn  of  the 

card  that 
with  tne 
ing  fome 
:  had  alio 
^  granted 
ordingly 
hufband 
V2i%  fome 
'ame  day 
ife,  but 
nth  her, 
ack  with 
been  rc- 

fof  fome 
z  family, 
;  Indiana 
?red  the 
party 


(     ^5    ) 

[party  with  whom   Elizabeth  was  confined   a 

the   iver  toTeV^^V.?  T'^L^  ^^'"S  ^^^^  ^^^-^ 
I     I  ^'7  ,  ^,"er  child,  which  they  did  andd*. 

.glued  the  fond  mother  with  this^hajp^^ 
'5t  monl'^^  '^^^  ^-  -  ^-  A'acT^^ 

SffiL  t'  ^""'u^'r  obained  a  further  per- 

lecdJe  work  from  the  white  people,  which 
afforded  her  a  plea  for  often  viking  k.      At 

o"&  ^K^r''^'  ^'''  Prevailedlkh  them 
iJl       A^  ^?  '^"^^""^  ^  ^ew  days  at   h^ 

an^ed""^^^^^^^  -^^^^  wt 

Ch.  ;.  ^  ^/  expiration  of  the  time,  up. 
Da  he  coming  of  the  Indians  for  her  to  return 
kf  '^^^', Repleaded  indifpofition,  and  by 

aHnTr  ^^'ryj'V^  repeatedly  diiTuadcd  from 
piving  her  with  them. 

As  the  time  of  planting  drew  nieh  fh^ 
i^^e  ufe  of  a  little^add/to  Jtard'tr  dt 
wrture;  having  a  fmall  fwelling  on  her  neck 

ndthev^/'r     'V^P'^P^'  *°  ^^""o^e  her. 

[;lr"p:!Lf,l'!^^(°"'.  ^.herefhe  lodged  at: 
I   ' "' "  "-""■'*'  *>*""* "«''  'lulpand  came f  rem ipnr- 


iiufpand  cawetrequen 


t- 


K-if 


III 


C    06    ) 

Ty  to  vifit  her,  which  was  a  great  happincfs 
as  her  trials  in  tl^^ir  reparation  had  been 
many. 

At  the  time  appointed  fome  of  the  Indians 
came  again,  but  fhe  ftill  pleaded  indifpofirion 
and  had  con  fined  herfelf  to  her  bed.  One  of  the 
women  intt^rrogated  her  very  clofely,  but  did 
not  mfift  upon  her  going  back.  Thus  feveral 
months  elapled,  flie  contriving  delays  as  often 
as  they  came. 

When  the  veflcl  which  was  to  take  the  other 
five,  among  whom  were  her  hufband  and  child 
was  ready  to  fail;  the  officers  at  Niagara  con! 
eluded  ihe  might  alfo  go  with  them,  as  they 
law  no  realonable  objedtion,  and  they  doubted 
nor  but  it  was  in  their  power  to  fatisfy  thofc 
Indians,  who  confidered  her  as  their  wo 
perty.  ^ 

AbnerGilbert,  another  of  the  captives,  when 
the  company  had  reached  the  Indian  town 
within  three  miles  of  Niagara  Fort,  was,  widi 
Wizabeth  Gilbert  the  younger,  fepararcd  from 
the  reft,  about  the  latter  part  of  thefifth  month 
1780  and  were  both  adopted  into  John  Huf- 
ton  s  family,  who  was  of  the  Cayuga  nation. 
Atter  a  (lay  of  three  days  at  or  near  the  fet- 
tlement  of  thefe  Indians,  they  removed  to  a 
place  near  the  great  falls,  which  is  about 
eighteen  miles  dilTantfrom  the  fort,  and  loiter-' 
ed  here  three  days  more;  they  then  crolfed' 


a  pie( 
for  p 
corn, 
fort. 

Aft 

lip  the 

with  ti 

the  ri\ 

fniall  v 

oppofii 

They  f 

great  c 

ihould 

after  tr* 

to  their 

about  o, 

mud  go 

left  thei 

of  the  fa 


the  river,  and  fettled  near  its  banks 


are  very 

[place  of 

my  and 

mh  the 

for  Butle 

I'l'hey  wej 

iMn  Sec 

hkfofd 

|time  befo 

After  f< 

lizabeth 


11 

lUi 


a  pieceiiiange  to 


(     ^7     ) 

w^h  them  in  th";  ri'tl  r'  ^T'^^y  "^^^ 
the  river  to  Jr  i,      r       '  ^""^  wentdoA^n 

oppofice  lide  nK  ,f,{    ^^- ^"^'^^^  ^"<^  Js  on  the 

rty  ftliite^:,;^  at  X  "..at^I^r  ^""• 
great  ca  -tion  that  nonV  ^-  ,1^  L°""'""S 
ihould  converfev  'th  thenrthn  """kt"  P'°P'' 
-fter  tranfading  their  bufit?'*"L  ^'"  ^"y' 
to  their  fettlemenf    ,  ^"""^  ».  they  returned 

about  one  week  when"!'""''"""'*.  '^"'  *'« 
muft  go  aeain  fA.  R  !?  «."'^'  concluded  they 
left  tf^r  f  K-     •  ^'"'"^'ury ;  after  they  had 

with  the  brother  hifX       """'"'"g  ''''^  family. 


n^e^'i.  9"^-  fl>o:iic^  ^::^n:f 


a  piecefljange  to  her 


y  tm  icnt  fbrj    this 


in 


was  an  agreeable 
-Abner 


¥ 


(     68     ) 

Abner  returned  with  them  to  the  fettlement, 
his  employ  being  to  fence  and  fecure  the  corn- 
patch  ;  fometimes  he  had  plenty  of  provifions,| 
but  was  often  in  want. 

The  miftrefs  of  the  family  one  day  intend- 
ing for  Butlerfbury,  ordered  Abner  to  prepare! 
to  go  with  her ;  but  fhe  had  not  gone  far  be- 
fore  Ihe  fent  him  back.  Notwithftanding  he 
had  long  been  inured  to  frequent  diiappoint- 
ments,  he  was  much  mortified  at  returning,  as 
he  expedled  to  have  feen  his  fifter.  When  the 
woman  came  home,  fhe  gave  him  no  information 
about  her,  and  all  inquiries  on  his  part  would| 
have  been  fruitlefs.  * 

The  place  they  had  fettled  at  fcrved  for  al 
dwelling  until  fall,  and  as  it  was  not  very  far 
diftant  from  the  fort,  by  often  applying  for| 
proviiion,  they  were  not  fo-  much  dillreiTed  be- 
tween the  failing  of  thei/  old  crop,  and  thcj 
gathering  of  the  new  one,  as  thofe  who  lived  at| 
a  greater  diftance. 

In  the  fall  John  Hufton,  the  head  of  thel 
family,  went  out  hunting,  and  in  his  returnl 
caught  cold  from  his  carelefs  manner  of  lying! 
in  the  wet,  and  thereby  loft  the  ufe  of  his  limbs! 
for  a  long  time.  On  being  informed  of  his| 
fituation,  the  family  moved  to  the  place  wherej 
he  was  •,  they  fixed  a  fhelter  over  him  (as  hel 
was  unable  to  move  himfelf)  and  continued] 
here  about  a  month  ;  but  as  it  was  remote  from| 

■anv  fptt\tmFr\t.  and  thev  had  1"Q  QQ  oftfin  tQ  thfi 

for 


(  ^  > 

fort  for  the  ncceflaries  of  life,  they  concluded 
to  return  to  their  own  habitation.  Abner,  one 
Indian  man,  and  fome  of  the  women,  carried 
the  cripple  in  a  blanket  about  two  miles  •  this 
was  fo  hard  a  tafl<,  they  agreed  to  put  up  a 
imall  hou<-,  and  wait  for  his  recovery  •  But 
not  long  alter  they  had  an  opportunity  of  con- 
veying  him  on  horfe-back  to  the  landing,  aj 
bout  nine  miles  above  the  fort.  As  this  was 
their  plantation,  and  thetime  of  gathering  their 
crops,  they  took  in  their  corn,  which,  as  has 
been  before  obferved,  is  the  bufinefs  of  the 
women.  Then  they  changed  their  quarter  ^ 
carrying  the  lame  Indian  as  before  in  a  blanket 
down  to  the  river  fide,  when  they  went  on 
board  canoes,  and  crofled  the  river,  in  order 
to  get  to  their  hunting-ground,  where  they 
ulually  Ipend  the  winter.  ^ 

Abner  Gilbert  lived  a  dronifli  Indian  life 
idle  and  poor,  having  no  other  employ  than  the 
gathering    of   hickory-nuts ,    and    although 
young,  his  fituation  was  very  irkfome. 

As  foon  as  the  family  came  to  the  huntingJ 
ground,  they  patched  up  a  flight  hut  for  their 
refidence,  and  employed  themfelves  in  hunt- 
ing.  They  took  Abner  along  wiih  them  m 
one  of  their  tours,  but  they  were  then  u  nfucce/T- 
tul,  taking  nothing  but  rackoons  and  porcu« 

The  crop  of  Indian  corn  Drovincr  rnof^.n. 
a  pittance  tor  the  winter;  Abner,  In  this  acl 

county 


^ 


(  70  ) 

ooimt,  had  fome  agreeable  employ,  which  was 
to  vifit  the  fort,  and  procure  a  fupply  of  pro- 
viTions,  which  continued  to  be  his  employmeat 
for  the  remainder  of  the  feafon. 

In  the.fpring  John  Hufton,  the  Indian  who 
had  been  lame  the  whole  winter,  recovered, 
and  unhappily  had  it  in  his  power  to  obtain  a 
fupply  of  rum,  which  he  frequently  drank  to 
excels;  and  always, when  thus  debauched, was 
extravagantly  morofe,   quarrelling  with    the 
women  who  were  in  the  family,  and  at  length 
^  left  them.  Soon  after  his  departure,  the  family 
'  moved  about  forty  miles,  near  Buffalo  Creek, 
which  empties  its  waters  into  Lake  Erie.    At 
this  place   Abner  heard  of  his  filter  Rebecca 
Gilbert,  who  flill  remained  in  captivity  not 
far  from  his  new  habitation.     This  was  their 
fummer  refidence ;   they  therefore  undertook 
to  clear  a  piece  of  land,   in  which  they  put 
corn,  pumpkins  and  fquafhes. 

Abner,  having  no  uieful  employ,  amufed 
himfelf  with  catching  fifh  in  the  lake,  and 
furnilhed  the  family  with  frequent  meffes  of 
various  kinds,  which  they  eat  wirhout  bread  or 
fait-,  ior  the  diftance  of  this  fettlement  from 
the  fort  prevented  them  from  obtaining  pro- 
vifions  fo  frequently  as  neceffary.  Captfjohn 
Powell  and  Thfuias  Peart  ^the  latter  had  by 
this  time  obtained  his  releale  from  the  Indians) 
and  feveral  others,    came  among  the  Indian 

IPtflt-mpnfc    with   t^r/-»xri fir*"   01-.^   U^.._    r ^1 

,,_...     ,-11,^1  j^i.\Jj  iii\jn  aiiu.  liuWi    i(Ji"  liiCiii. 

The 


iThea 

mongl 

icame, 

'as  the 

the  nu 

I  tion  of 

are  fai 

power 

iimple 

It  w 

I  been  p; 

not  feei 

I  of  tim 

great  jc 

were  fo 

corn  fei 

not  beii 

his  capt 

In  th 

to  Buck 

the  worr 

the  rele 

fen  ted  ti 

he  mud 

deliver  I 

return,  i 

tion  that 

a  fpur  t( 

llight. 

Some 


which  was 
ply  of  pro- 
nploymeat 

Indian  who 
recovered, 
to  obtain  a 
y  drank  to 
uched,  was 
with    the 
I  at  length 
the  family 
alo  Creek, 
Erie.    At 
r  Rebecca 
tivity  not 
■  was  their 
undertook 
they  put 

Yt  amufed 
lake,  and 
meffes  of 
It  bread  or 
lent  from 
ning  pro- 
apt.  John 
sr  had  by 
:  Indians) 
he  Indian 
for  them. 


<      71     ) 

The  account  of  their  coming  foon  fpr^ad  a- 
mongft  the  Indians.  The  chiefs  of  every  tribe 
came,  bringing  with  them  as  many  little  fticks 
as  there  were  perfons  in  their  tribe,  to  exprefs 
tne  number,  m  order  to  obtain  a  jull  propor- 
tion of  the  provifion  to  be  diflributed.  Thev 
are  faid  to  be  unacquainted  with  any  other 
power  of  explaining  numbers,  than  by  this 
fimple  hieroglyphic  mode.  ^ 

It  was  upwards  of  a  year  fince  Abner  had 
been  parted  from  his  relations,  and  as  he  had 
not  leen  his  brother  Thomas  Peart  in  that  fpace 
ol  time,  this  unexpeded  meeting  gave  him 
great  joy,  but  it  was  of  fliort  duratfon,  as  th*T 
were  forced  to  leave  him  behind.  Durino-  the 
corn  leafon  he  was  employed  in  tending  it^and 
not  being  .fan  impatient  difpofition,  he  bore 
liis  captivity  without  repining. 

In  the  leventh  month,  178  r,  the  family  went 
to  Butlerfbury,  when  Col.  Butler  treated  with 
the  woman  who  was  the  head  of  this  family  for 
the  releafe  of  Abner,  which  ihe  at  length  con- 
Jented  to  on  receiving  fome  prefents,  but  faid 
he  mull  firil  return  with  her,  and  flie  would 
deliver  him  up  in  twenty  days.      Upon  their 
return,  fhegave  Abner  the  agreeable  informa- 
tion that  he  was  to  be  given  up.     This  added 
a  fpur  to  his  mduftry,  and  made  his  labour 
light. 

Some  days  before  the  time  agreed  on,  they 
|f -•-wviv.vi  ivi  ouuvTiwuiy,  ana  went  to  John 

Sccord'i 


V»%M' 


(  72  ) 

Secord's,  where  his  fitter  Elizabeth  Gilbert  had 
been  from  the  time  mentioned  in  the  former 
part  of  this  narrative. 

Abner  was  difcharged  by  the  Indians  foon 
after  his  arrival  at  the  Englifh  village,  and 
John  Secord  permitted  him  to  live  in  his  family 
with  his  fiften  With  this  family  they  continu- 
ed  two  weeks,  and  as  they  were  under  the 
care  of  the  Englifh  officers,  they  were  permitted 
to  draw  clothing  and  provifions  from  the 
king's  llores. 

Afterwards  Benjamin  Peart  and  his  brother 
Thomas,  who  were  both  releafed,  came  over 
for  their  brother  and  filler  at  John  Secord's, 
and  went  with  them  to  Capt.  Powell's,  in  order 
to  be  nearer  to  the  vefTel  they  were  to  go  in  to 
Montreal. 

The  next  of  the  family,  who  comes  within 
notice,  is  Elizabeth  Gilbert  the  fifter.  From 
the  time  of  her  being  firft  introduced  by  the 
Indian  into  tlie  family  of  John  Secord,  who 
was  one  in  whom  he  placed  great  confidence. 
She  was  under  the  neceiTity  of  having  new 
clothes,  as  thofe  fhe  had  brought  from  home 
were  much  worn.  Her  fituation  in  the  family 
where  fhe  was  placed  was  comf-'.rtable.  After 
a  few  days  rcfidence  with  them,  fhe-<Hfcovered 
where  the  young  child  was,  that  had  fome  time 
before  been  taken  from  its  mother  Elizabeth 
Peart,  as  before  mentioned;  and  herfelf,  to- 
gether with  John  Secord's  wife  with  whom  fhe 

lived, 


lived, 
order 
who  h 
not  th( 
after  C 
dollars 
for  a  1( 
diflreH 
proted 
it  foor 

Eliz; 
in  Joh 
year,  a 
benefa<! 
of  the 
fidence 
Peart  c 

The 
Ihe  was 
ration  i 

cxpedai 
althougl 
fhewn  h' 
John 
gara,  to 
ilatisfadi 
md  beer 
jleafed  :  1 
|the  fort  a 
them  all 


jiibert  had 
the  former 

idians  foon 
illage,  and 
his  family 
y  continu- 
under  the 
permitted 
from  the 

lis  brother 
came  over 
1  Secord's, 
s,  in  order 
o  go  in  to 

les  within 
T.     From  I 
ed  by  the 
:ordj  who! 
Dnfidence. 
^ing    new  I 
om  home 
he  family 
e.    After 
Hfcovered 
bme  time 
Elizabeth 
irfelf,  to- 
^hom  fliel 
lived. 


(     73    ) 

lived,  and  Capt.  Fry's  wife  went  to  fee  it  In 

wt^hrd^t^unY'l^'""^  '''  Indian  wo^:^ 
not^ht';  e^ai^^^^^^  could 

after  Canr  pl.,'1     v  '.  ''lO"g'i  fome  time 

Ml[rs\hLr'  P"!;'\"^'^  '^  f°^  thirteen 
aoiiars.    Whilft  among  the  Indians  it  had  been 

^ift    1?"^^'"'^  'ndifpofed,  and  in  a  lin^erin^ 
diftreffing  fituation  ,  but  under  its  prefcnfk  nd 

inSlL^rrffl;Ser^^^^^^^^ 
year,  and  became  fo  fondly  attacheH  ^  ^  ^ 
bencfaaors   that  ihe  ufuJ\S'Z^^ 
of  the  houfe  her  mamma.      Durina  her  re 
fidence  here,  her  brother  AbneranTT^ 

Peart  camefevera,  time^to'vifX^'^"" 
The  afHidrng  lofs  of  her  father  tr.      u 

.SaSrofteirt:-,  t"""  ^^  '^^^ - 

although  mo5e3  ?  Kn^I^n^r'- 
JohnSecord  having  fome  bufinefs  Tn;. 

km  all  „igh,,  !.,'*,£  ""^ „f5«  «««1  wi,h 


n 


Not 


4 


'ni    . 


:  f 


t    74    > 

Not  long  after  this  vifit.  Col.  Butler  and 
John  Secord  fcnt  for  the  Indian,  who  claimed 
Elizabeth  as  his  property,  and  when  he  arrived 
they  made  overtures  to  purchafe  her,  but  he 
declared  he  would  not  fell  his  own  flefh  and 
blood  ;  for  thus  they  ftile  thofe  whom  they 
/have  adopted.  They  then  had  recourfe  to 
prefents,  which,  overcoming  his  fcrupies,  tiiCy 
obtained  her  difcharge ;  after  which  fh^  re- 
mained two  weeks  at  Butler^uryj  and  then 
3went  to  her  mother  at  Montreal. 

Having  given  a  brief  relation  of  the  happr 
releafc  and  meeting  of  fuch  of  the  captives  as 
had  returned  from  among  the  Indians,  ex- 
cepting Thomas  Peart,  whofe  narrative  is  de- 
ferred, as  he  was  exerting  his  endeavours  tor 
the  benefit  of  his  filter  and  coufin,  who  dill 
•remained  behind. 

It  may  not  be  improper  to  return  to  th  * 
mother,  who  with  feveral  of  her  children  were 
.at  Montreal .  The  nurfe-child  Avhich  they  had 
taken,  as  related  in  the  former  part  of  this 
account^  dying,  was  a  confiderable  lofs  to 
them,  as  they  could  not,  even  by  their  utmofl: 
indufiry,  gain  ab  much  any  other  way. 

In  the  fall  of  the  year  1781,  Col.  Johnfon,j 
Capt.  Powell^  andfome  other  officers,  came  tOj 
Montreal  upon  bufinefs,  and  were  fo  kind  inj 
their  remembrance  of  the  family,  as  to  inquire] 
after  them^  and  to  make  them  fome  prefents, 
congratulating  the  mother  on  the  happy  re- 1 


(    75    > 

leafcment  of  Co  m^ny  of  her  children  ri«.„ 
nco. raged  her  with  the  informal  of Thdr 
agreement  with  the  Indians,  for  the  reLfemene 
Dt  her  daughter  Rebecca,  expefting  Sfhl 
A'as  by  that  time  at  Niagara;  bft  in  this 
opinion  they  were  miftakin,  as  the  Ind.W 
[am.ly,  who  adopted  her.  valued  her  too  hth 

ime  atter  this  before  fhe  was  given  ud 
fc  -zabeth  Gilbert  and  her  daughte^,;  took 
n  clothes  to  waft  for  their  fupporfand  bdS 

Jefle  Gilbert  obtained  employ  in  his  trade 
:  ITS'"''' ''''''"  ^  -l--'ddidon 

Iff  W  "i  ^'^'"'^  ^""^'l"^  "°  opportunity  to 
Ns  her,  of  inquiring  about  her  friends  and 

t ofT"  ^'^'"/y^^r''  ^"'l  ^"^  the  fa?i  fa": 
Jon  of  being  informed  by  one  who  came  frcL' 

h  fouthward.  that  friends  of  pSdTa 
ad  been  very  afliduous  in  their  endeavou „ 
H'l^J^formaiion  where  their  family  was 
»d  had  fent  to  the  different  meetings  E' 
g  hem  to  inform  themfelves  of  thef  uatio« 

^  wer,  afford  them  fuch  relief  as  they  might 

lid  TLtl^'^""'  P'"'*""^^  '«  hear  of  this 
Bs  ^Z  ^-f  "^  remembrance  of  their 
I  was,   and  it  would  have  been  P(n.„,i,ii„ 

^  2  Serviceable 


^ 


Lii^i^iiM  ..«!!<  I 


C   76    ) 

fcrvkeabk  to  them,  could  they  have  reduced 
it  to  a  certainty. 

Deborah  Jones,  a  daughter  of  Abraham 
"Wing,  a  friend,  fent  for  Elizabeth  Gilbert,  in 
order  to  attend  her  as  a  nurfe  *,  but  her  death, 
which  was  foon  after,  fruftrated  the  profped 
fhe  had  of  an  agreeable  place,  as  this  woman 
was  better  grounded  in  friends  principles  than 
moft  fhe  had  met  with  •,  which  circumftance 
united  them  in  the  ties  of  a  clofe  friendfhip: 
and  as  Elizabeth  Gilbert  had  received  many 
civilities  and  favours  from  her,  her  death  was 
doubly  affli(5ting  to  their  family. 

A  perfon  who  came  from  Crown-Point,  in 
formed  here  nat  Benjamin  Gilbert,  a  fon  of  the 
deceafedby  his  firftwife,  had  come  thither,  in 
order  to  be  of  what  fervice  he  could  to  the 
family,  and  had  defired  him  to  make  inquirj 
w?  ere  they  were,  and  in  what  £tuation,  and 
fend  him  the  earlieft  information  poiTible. 

A  fecond  agreeable  intelligence  Ihe  received 
from  Niagara,  by  a  young  woman  who  came 
from  thence,  who  informed  her  that  her  daugh- 
ter  Rebecca  was  given  up  to  the  Englifh  by 
the  Indians.  This  information  mufl  have 
been  very  plea-fing,  as  their  expedtations  0 
her  releafe  were  but  faint  •,  the  Indian,  wit 
whom  Ihe  lived,  confidering  her  as  her  ow 

child.  t       ^u 

It  was   not  long  after  this,  that  Thom 
P^orf     Reher.ca   Gilbert,    and    their    coufi 

Benjamii] 


was    r 

cxpref 

Refl 

out  a  ] 

the  va 

the  far 

throug 

the  fie 

ftored 

among 

great  a 

but  wii 

the  gre 

Reb( 

were  ft 

nexions 

dowff,  \ 

^Jiagar; 

whom 

of  the 

where  h 

the  reft 

Upon  t 

family, 

as  is  cu 

higher  i 

be  placi 

over  the 


^e  reduced 

Abraham 
Gilbert,  in 
her  death, 
be  profped 
his  woman 
ciples  than 
rcumftance 
friendfhip : 
ived  many 

death  was 

^ Point,  in- 
i  fon  of  the 
:  thither,  in 
)uld  to  the 
ike  inquiry 
nation,  and 
)irible. 
he  received 
I  who  came 
her  daugh" 
Englifh  by 
mufl  have 
edations  of 
ndian,  wit; 
as  her  owi 

lat  Thoma 

heir    coufiij 

Benjamii] 


(    77     ) 

fenjamin  Gilbert  came  to  Montreal  to  the 
reft  of  she  family.  This  meeting,  after  fuch 
icenes  ot  forrow  as  they  had  experienced, 
was  more  completely  happy  than  can  be 
cxprefled. 

Reflexion,  if  indulged,  will  fteadily  point 
out  a  protedmg  arm  of  power  to  have  ruled 
the  various  ftorms  which  often  threatened 
the  family  with  deftrudion  on  their  pafTaec 
through  the  wildernefs,  under  the  conrroul  of 
tlie  fierceft  enemies,  and  preferved  and  re- 
ftored  them  to  each  otlicr,  although  feparated 
among  different  tribes  and  nations  :  this,  fo 
great  a  favour,  cannot  be  confidered  by  them 
but  with  the  warmeft  emotions  of  gratitude  to 
the  great  Author. 

Rebecca  Gilbert  and  Benjamin  Gilbert,  fun 
were  feparated  from  their  friends  and  con- 
nexions at  a  place  called  the  Five  Mile  Mea- 
dows which  was  faid  to  be  that  diftance  from 
Niagara.      The  Seneca  king's  daughter,  to 
whom  they  were  allotted  in  the  diitribution 
of  the  captives,    took  them  to  a  fmall  hut 
^here  her  father  Siangorochti,  his  queen,  and 
he  reft  of  the  family  were,  eleven  in  number. 
Upon  the  reception  of  the  prifoners  into  the 
tamily,  there  was  much  forrow  and  weeping, 
as  IS  cuftomary  upon  luch  occafions,  and  tl^ 
higher  in  favour  the  adopted  prifoners  are  to 
be  placed,  the  greater  lamentation  is  made 
jovcr  them.     . 


n  ^ 


'I 

I'      1 

I         ! 


I  f  I 


iilil 


(  78  ) 

After  three  days  the  family  removed  to  a 
place  called  the  Landing,    on  the  banks  of 
Niagara  River  :  here  they  continued  two  days! 
more,    and    tlien   two  of   the  women   went! 
•with    the    captives    to   Niagara,  to  procure j 
clothing   from    the    king's   (lores  for  themJ 
and  permitted  them  to  ride  on  horfeback  to 
Fort  Slufher,  which  is  about  eighteen  miles 
diftant  from  Niagara  fort.     On  this  journey 
they    had    a    fight  of  the    Great    Falls    of| 
Niagara. 

During  a  flay  of  fix  days  at  Fort  Slulher>| 
theBritilh  officers  and  others  ufed  their  utmoftl 
^ndciivours  to  purchafe  them  of  the  Indians  J 
but  the  Indian  king  faid  he  would  not  part 
with  them  for  one  thoufand  dollars. 

The  Indians,  who  claimed  Elizabeth  PeartJ 
came  to  the  fort  with  her  at  this  time,  and 
although  Ihe  was  very  weakly  and  indifpofed, 
it  was  an  agreeable  opportunity  to  them  both 
of  converfing  with  each  other;  but  they  were 
not  allowed  to  be  frequently  together,  left  they 
Jhould  increafe  each  other's  difcontent. 

Rebecca  being  drefled  in  the  Indian  manner,] 
appeared  very  different  from  what  fhe  had 
been  accuftomed  to  :  Ihort  clothes,  leggings, | 
and  a  gold  laced  hat. 

From  Niagara  fort  they  went  about  eighteen! 
miles  above  the  Falls  to  fort  Erie,  a  garrifon  of  | 
theEnglifh,  and  then  continued  their  journeyl 
about  four  miles   further  up  Buffalo  creekj 


(illUi 


tages  ( 
refl. 
one  hu 
pie  is 
five  bi 
As  ] 
of  equi 
was  fa\ 
their  hi 
Ihe  drc 
method 
fiftance 
baked 
agreeab 


(    79    ) 

and  pitched  their  tent.  At  this  pJace  they" 
met  With  Rebecca's  father  and  mother  by 
adop^-on,  who  had  gone  before  on  hcrfe-back. 
Ihey  caught  feme  filh,  and  made  foup  of 
them  but  Rebecca  could  eat  none  of  it.  as  it 
was  drefled  witlwut  fait,  and  with  all  tlic 
carelelTnefs  of  Indians. 

This  fpot  was  iiMended  for  their  plantatio*, 
they  theretorc  began  to  clear  the  land  for  the 
crop  of  Indian  corn.  While  the  women  were 
thus  emp  oyed,  the  men  built  a  log  houfe  for 
their  refidence    and  then  went  out  hunting. 

w.^nTA    /!l'^"S,  ''"  ^"""y  ^'^^  'i^«d  with 

Tht  f  }^'-^  rank  among  the  Indians,  and 

he  head  of  it  ftiled  King,  they  were  inder 

he  neceffity  of  labouring,  as  well  as  thofe  of 

Wer  rank,  although  they  often  had  advan- 

llf  iuP'°S"'''"S  '"o/e  Provifions  than  the 
T  u  ^i"^family  raifed  this  fummer  about 
one  hundred  fk.pple  of  Indian  corn  (a  {kZ 

ot  equal  labour  with  the  other  women  flip 
was  favoured  by  them  by  often  beinSinto 
their  hut  to  prepare  fomething  to  eaTj  an  Is 
ihe  drefled   their  provifions  Tfter  the  En,,  ift 

fiftate'ofl'^'r^^'  '"'  ovenTySf'S 
bakeH  ^h        K   °'}""  r'"'"'    i"  ^hich  they 

^  ^  Benjamia 


f 


i  h. 


(     80     ) 

Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun.  was  confidcrrr-  ?« 
the  king's  lucceflbr,  and  entirely  n  c*^  from 
rcftraint,  {o  that  he  even  began  u  h  Je- 
lighted  with  his  manner  of  lite  -,  and  uad  it 
not  been  for  the  frequent  counfel  ')f  hh  fel- 
low captive,  he  would  not  have  been  anxious 
for  a  change. 

In  the  waters  of  the  lakes  there  are  various 
kinds  of  fifh,  which  the  Indians  take  fome- 
times  with  fpears  j  but  whenever  they  can 
obtain  hooks  and  lines,  they  prefer  them. 

A  fifh  called  Ozoondah,  refembling  a  fhad 
inlliape,  but  rather  thicker,  and  lefs  bony, 
with  which  Lake  Eric  abounded,  was  often 
drefled  for  their  table,  and  was  of  an  agree- 
able tafte,  weighing  fronfi  three  to  four 
pounds. 

They  drew  provifions  this  fummer  from  the 
forts,  which  frequently  induced  the  Indians 
to  repair  thither.  The  king,  his  daughter, 
grand-daughter,  and  Rebecca,  went  together 
upon  one  of  thefe  vifits  to  Fort  Erie,  where 
the  Britiih  officers  entertained  them  with  a 
rich  feaft,  and  fo  great  a  profufion  of  wine, 
that  the  Indian  king  was  very  drunk  -,  and  as 
he  had  to  manage  the  canoe  in  their  return, 
they  were  repeatedly  in  danger  of  being  over- 
fct  amongfl  the  rocks  in  the  lake. 

Rebecca  and  Benjamin  met  with  much  bet- 
ter fare  than  the  other  captives,  as  the  family 
they  lived  with  were  but  fcldom  in  great  want 


of  nee 
they  c 

Ber 
nity,  • 
neck. 

Th< 

ly,  to 

Benjar 
Fort  I 
proccei 
their  b 
to  obti 
frequei 
Reb< 
expedta 
Icalt  pe 

was  dif 
turn  ag 
her  rel 
houfe-k 
nefs  to 
noticed, 

As  th 
home  vi 
intoxica 
behaved 

Ontl: 
at  Fort 
Ju)rl€  tc 
where  tl 


♦ 


rJcrn"  ?« 
*p'^  from 

J  '^  Jc- 
nd  uad  it 
f  hh  fel- 
1  anxious 

e  various 
ke  fome- 
they  can 
them, 
ig  a  (had 
efs  bony, 
/as  often 
n  agree- 
to   four 

from  the 
J  Indians 
laughter, 
together 
e,  where 
1  with  a 
of  wine, 
•,  and  as 
r  return, 
ing  over- 

luch  bet- 
le  family 
reat  want 


3^ 


(    «i    ) 

of  neceflaries,  which  was  the  only  advai 
they  enjoyed  beyond  the  reft  of  tneir  tribe  ~ 
Benjamin  Gilbert,  as  a  badge  of  his  dic- 
nity,  wore  a  fUver  medal  pendant  from  C» 
neck. 

The  king,  queen,  and  another  of  the  fami- 
ly,   together  with    Rebecca  and  her  coufin 

?o?f'^!"k'^'  f  ^°'  ^■■'S?ra.  boing  as  far  «, 
fort  Slulher  by  water,  from  whence  thev 
proceeded  on  foot,  carrying  their  loads  on 
iheir  backs.  Their  bufinefs  at  the  fort  was 
to  obtain  provifions,  which  occafioned  them 
frequently  to  vifit  it,  as  before  related. 

Rebecca  indulged  herfelf  with  the  pleaGno- 
cxpedation  of  obtaining  her  releafe,  or  a? 
leall  permiflion  to  remain  behind  among  the 
whnen  bur  in  ^th  thefe  expeftationf  Ihe 
was  difagieeably  difappointed,  having  to  re- 
turn  again  with  her  captors;  all  efllrts  for 
her  releafe  being  in  vain.  Col.  Johnfon's 
houfe-keeper,  whofe  repeated  afts  of  kind- 
nels  to  this  captivated  family  have  been 
noticed,  made  her  fome  acceptable  prefents 

As  they  had  procured  fome  rum  to  carry 
home  with  them,  the  chief  was  frequentlr 
mtoxicated,  and  always  in  fuch  unhajpy  fi,J 
behaved  remarkably  foolifh.  "^' 

at  Fort  Niagara   procured  for  Rebecca  aa 

horfe  to  carry  htr  as  far  as  Fort  Slufher 

where  ithey  took  boat,  and  got  home  after  I 


D 


Soon 


# 


% 


-fi. 


(     82     ) 

*  Soon  after  their  return,  Rebecca  and  her 
coufin  were  feized  with  the  chill  and  fever, 
which  held  them  for  near  three  months. 
During  their  indifpofition  the  Indians  were 
very  kind  to  them  ;  and  ^s  their  ftrength  of 
conftitution  alone  could  not  check  the  pro- 
grefs  of  the  diforder,  the  Indians  procured 
fome  herbs,  with  which  the  patients  were 
unacquainted,  and  made  a  plentiful  decoc- 
tion ;  with  thefe  they  wafhed  them,  and  it 
feemed  to  afibrd  them  fome  relief:  the  Indians 
accounted  it  a  fovereign  remedy. 

The  deceafe  of  her  father,  of  which  Re- 
becca  received  an  account,  continued  her  in. 
a  drooping  way  a  confiderable  time  longer 
than  fhe  would  otherwife  have  been. 

As  foon  as  fhe  recovered  her  Ficalth,  fome 
of  the  family  again  went  to  Niagara,  and  Re- 
becca was  permitted  to  be  of  the  company. 
They  ftaid  at  the  fort  about  two  weeks,  and 
Col.  Johnfon  exerted  himfelf  in  order  to  ob" 
tain  her  releafe,  holding  a  treaty  with  th*^  In 
dians  for  this  purpofe  jbut  his  mediation  prov- 
ed fruitlefs  :  Jhe  had  therefore  to  return  with 
many  an  heavy  flep.  When  they  came  to 
Lake  Erie,  where  their  canoe  was,  they  pro^ 
ceeded  by  water  While  in  their  boat  a  num- 
ber of  Indians  in^  a  canoe  came  towards  them. 
and  informed  them  of  the  death  of  her  Indian 
father,  who  had  made  an  expedition  to  the 
frontiers  of   Pennfylvania,    and    was    there! 


unatter 

Som^ 

attende 

and  hoe 

happine 

Gonverf 

Rebe 

pleafure 

came  wi 

to  fettle 

feen  eac 

proved  " 

Thon 

fifter,  b; 

rpeedily 

were  ofb 

An  of 

Latteridj 

them,  ar 

prifoners 

Llininn    f-l 


m 


ki»t,  ■^'m. 


ofhh  wounds ;  on  which  occafion  Ihe  was 
under  the  neceffity  of  making  a  feint  of  for- 
™  «Vl^"    w««P'ng-  aloud  with  the  reft. 

When  they  arrived,  at  their  fettlement*  it 
was  the  time  of  gathering  their  orop  of  corn 
potatoes,  pumpkins,  and  preferring  cheirftor^ 
of  hickory  nuts. 

RriH^'^*""'  beginning  of  the  winter  foiiR- 
Bntifii  officers  came  amongft  them,  and  ftaid- 

7:i\t^rT^  ^Pff  u4  every  endeavoiS 
tor  the  difcharge  of  the  t<vo  captives,  but  ftilJU 
unattended  with  fuccefs. 

Some  time  after  this^  another  Britiftrofficer 
attended  by  Thomas  Peart,  came  with  proSa 
and  hoes  tor  the  Indians.  It  afforded  them  great 

happinefstoenjoythefatisfaftionofcachoiler's. 
eonverfation^  after  fo  long  an  abfence 

ni.^r''^^"/?'^'"'' f°"''"' ''^'^  the  additional- 
pleafure  of  feeing  her  brother  Abner,  who- 
came  with  the  family  amongft  whom  he  lived 
£0  fettle  near  this  place  ;  and  as  they  had  not 
leen  each  other  for  alraoft  twelve  months  itt 
proved  very  agreeable.  * 

Thomas  Peart-  endeavoured  to  animate  hw^ 
.liter,  by  encouraging  her  with  the  hopes  of 
fpeedily  obtaining  her  liberty  :  but  her  hopes, 
were  often  dilappomtcd.  V 

An  officer  amongft  the  Britiffi,  one  Capt 
l.atteridge,_  came  and  ftaid  fomc  time  w.t.i. 
them,  and  mterefted  himfelf  on  behalf  of  the 
pritoners,  and  appeared,  in  a  fair  way  of  ob- 


eniargCiiiciit ;  uut  being  ordered 


D6 


1:0 


rrfi 


i; ' 


f 


■lii, 

1' 


(     ^4     ) 

to  join  his  regiment,  he  was  prevented  from 
iurther  attention  until  his  return  from  duty ; 
and  afterwards  was  commanded  by  Col.  John- 
ion  to  go  with  him  to  Montreal  on  bufinefs 
ot  importance,  which  efFcaually  barred  his 
undertaking  any  thing  further  that  winter. 

It  afforded   her  many  pleafing  reflexions 
when  jhe  heard  that  fix  of  her  relations  were 
treed  from  their  difficulties,  and  Thomas  Peart 
vifitmg  her  again,  contributed,  in  fome  mea- 
lure,  to  re-animate  her  with   frefh  hopes  of 
obtainmg  her  own  freedom.    They  fixed  upon 
a,fcheme  of  carrying  her  off  privately  -,  but 
when  they  gave  time  for  a  full  reflexion,   it 
was  evidently  attended  with  too  great  danger, 
as  It  would  undoubtedly  have  much  enraged 
the  Indians,  and  perhaps  the  lives  of  every 
one  concerned  would  have  been  forfeited  bv 
fuch  indifcretion.  ' 

During  the  courfe  of  this  winter  flae  fuffered 
many  hardlhips  and  fevere  difappointments, 
and  being  without  a  friend  to  unbofom  her 
iorrows  to,  they  appeared  to  increafe  by  con- 
cealment ;  but  making  a  virtue  of  neceffity, 
ihe  fummoned  up  a  firmnefs  of  refo  ution,  and 
was  fupported  under  her  difcoura£riT,cnt  be- 
yond  her  own  expedations. 

'r^^  yo"th  and  inexperience  of  her  coufin 
did  not  allow  of  a  Ajfficient  col  .lenrc  in  him^ 
but  ihe  had  often  to  intereft  herfeif  in  un  at- 
tention to,  and  overfight  of,   ius  condudli^ 

aadi 


being 

offer  a 

Aft 

fix  mil 

two  m 

maple 

able  q\ 

Asf 

over, 

where  i 

Indian 

ing  nur 

cured  a 

were  fil 


rntcd  frona 
•om  duty  j 
^ol.  John- 
►n  bufinefs 
)arred   his 
winter, 
reflexions 
tions  were 
mas  Peart 
bme  mea- 
hopes  of 
ixed  upon 
tely-,  but 
edlion,   it 
It  danger, 
I  enraged 
of  every 


(    »5    ) 

and  it  was  in  fome  meafure  owing  to  thiscarr 
th«  he^r«a.„ed  his  defires  to  retin  a^^n^ft 

iS°^'  ^i."'!-'"'  '"'."^  .*  ^""S  of  wampum  to  the 

berot  the  other  Indians  together  upon  this 
occafion,  when  they  concluded  to  go  down  to 
Niagara,  where  they  underftood  the  de"!^  of 
the  treaty  was  for  the  freedom  of  thf-  remain- 
der of  the  pnfoners  ;  for  efpecial  orders  wwl 
.(fued  by  General  Haldimand,  at  Quebec 
that  their  hberty  Ihould  be  obtained,  ^n  th^ 
Co,mc.l-F.re  u  was  agreed  they  would  fur 
render  up  the  prifoners. 

,u  ^ii^"?  'i^y/^urned,  they  informed  Rebecca 
that  Col.  Butler  had  a  def.re  to  fee  her  S 
was  the  only  information  fte  could  Stwt 
bemg  a  frequent   cuftom   amonglf  them  to 

Alter  this  the  whole  fam  y  moved  ahom 
fix  miles  up  Lake  Erie,  where  they  Sat 
two  months  to  gather  their  annual  ftore  of 
maple  fugar.  of  which  they  made  a  conf  der- 
able  quantity.  """ucr- 

As  foon  as  the  feafon  of  tr.is   bulinefs  r  a, 
over,    they  returned  tc  u.Jr  old  SwnT 
where  they  had  not  continued  long.  K a^* 
Indian  came  with  an  accc  ■ -,.  thatt  .£& 
mg  number  o.  young  pigeons  might  be  jS-' 

were  Wled  with  ncfts  -  f  young,  and  the  dit 

tance 


H      H 


-«~=  -   -ijj  _ 


(   g6  y 

^  tjknce  was  computed  ta  be  about  fiftf  miles : 
this  information  delighted  the  fcveral  tribes ; 
they  fpeedily  joined  together,  you«g  and  old* 
from  different  parts,  and  with  great  afliduity 
,  purfued  their  expedition,  and  took  abuns- 
dance  of  the  young  ones,,  which  they  dried  in 
the  fun,  and  with  fmoke,  and  filled  feveral 
bags  which  they  had  taken  with  them  for  this 
purpofe.  Benjamin  Gilbert  was  permitted  ta 
accompany  them  in  this  excurfion,  which 
muft  have  been  a  curious  one  for  whole  tribes 
to  be  engaged  in.  On  this  rarity  they  lived 
with  extravagance  for  fome  time,  faring  fump- 
tuoufly  every  day. 

As  the  time  ap^roached^  when,  according 
to  appointmenty  they  were  to  return  to  Nia- 
gara, and  deliver  up  the  prifoners,  they  gave 
Rebecca  the  agreeable  information,  in  order 
to  allow  her  fome  time  to  make  preparation. 
She  made  them  bread  foi:  their  journey  with 
great  cheerfulnefe 

The  Indians,  to  the  number  of  thirty,  at- 
tended on  this  occafion  with  the  two  captives* 
They  went  as  far  as  Fort  Slulher  in  a  bark- 
canoe.  It  was  Icveral  day^  before  they  reach- 
ed Niagara  Fort,  as  they  went  llowly  on  foot. 
After  attending  atGoLButler's,  and  conferring 
upon  this  occalion^  in  coniideratior  of  fome 
valuable  prefents  made  them,  they  rekafed 
the  two  lall  of  the  captives,  Rebecca  Gilbert, 
aad  Benjamin  Gilbert,  juxu 

Aft. 


(     ^7    > 

As  fpedily  as  they  were  enabled,  their  In- 
dian drels  was  exchanged  for  the  more  cuftom- 
ary  and  agreeable  one  of  the  Europeans  i  and 
on  the  third  of  the  fixth  month,  178^2,  twa 
days  after  their  happy  rdeafe,  failed  for  Mon« 
treaL 

The  narrative  of  the  treatment  of  Thomas- 
Peart,  another  of  the  family,  ftill  remains  to< 
be  given : 

He  was  taken  alon^  .  weftward  path  witb 
the  prifoners  before  m».ntioncd,  viz.  Jofeph,. 
Sarah,  and  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun. 

Thomas  was  compelled  to  carry  a  heavy 
load  of  the  plunder  which  the  Indians  ha4 
feized  at  their  farm.  When  fep.n-ated  from 
the  reft,  they  were  afiured  they  ihould  meet 
together  again  in  four  days. 

The  firft  day's  travel  was  in  an  exceedino- 
difagreeable  path,  acrofs  feveral  deep  brooks^ 
through  which  Thomas  had  to  carry  Saralv 
and  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun.  This  tafk  was,^ 
very  hard  one,  as  he  had  been  much  reduced 
for  want  of  fufficient  nouriihm^nt. 

The  firft  night  they  lodged  by  the  banks  of 
Cayuga  Creek,  the  captives  being  tied  as 
ufual.  The  next  morning  they  took  a  venifpn^ 
and  this,,  with,  fome  decayed  corn  which  they 
gathered  from  the  deferted  fields,  ferved  thcm^ 
for  fuilenance.  This  day's  journey  was  by 
the  fide  of  Cayuga  Creek,  until  they  came 
to  a  ftcep  hill^  which  they  afccndied  witk 

When 


.^i 


:^ 


.     ii; 


i^'' 


iijipr. 


P-^- 


i 


(     58     3 

When  night  came  on,  they  fought  a  wie- 
warn  which  had  been  dcferted  precipitately 
upon  General  Sullivan's  march  againft  the 
innabirants  of  thefe  parts. 

The  land  in  this  neighbourhood  is  excel- 
lent for  cultivation,  affording  very  good  paf- 
ture.  ^ 

Thomas  Peart  affured  the  Indians,  that  he 
with  the  other  captives,  would  not  leave  thern' 
and  therefore  requefted  the  favour  to  be  freed 
from  their  confinement  at  night ;  but  one  of 
them  checked  his  requefl,  by  faying  he  could 
not  deep  if  the  captives  were  fuUered  to  be 
untied. 

Their  meat  being  all  exhaufted,  Thomaj? 
and  three  Indians  went  near   three  miles   to 
gather  more  decayed  corn  i  and  this,  mouldy 
as  It  was,  they  were  obliged  to  eat,  it  being 
their  only  food,  excepting  a  few  winter  tur- 
nips  which  they  met  with.     They  went  for- 
wards  a  confiderable  diftance  by  the  fide  of 
Cayuga  Creek,  and  then  with  much  difficul- 
ty crofled   it;  immediately  afterwards   they 
afcended  an  uncommon  miry  hill,   covered 
with  fprings.      Going   over   this   mountain 
they  miffed  the  path,  and  were  obliged  to 
wade  very  heavily  through  the  water  and 
mire. 

In  the  clofe  of  the  day  they  came  to  a  fine 
meadow,  where  they  agreed  to  contihue  that 
Bight,  having  no  other  provifions  than  the 


«_7 

nightSj 

game  I 

poor,  ; 

that  th 

the  oti 

they  fir 

Afte 

a  fliort 

and  th( 

themfel 

the  tree 

a  fplit 

iinall  bi 

that  the 

the  poii 

the  grc 

would  t 

they  Icf 


i^\  ■  « 1  ^  t- 


(     89     ) 

mouldy  Indian  corn  they   accidentally  met 

been  cut  h'  ^"''•-  fr«ions.  whic^  had 
been  cut  down,  and  left  on  the  ground  by 
General  Sullivan's  army.  " 

Next  morning  they  fet  forwards,  walkine 
eifurelyon.  fo  that  the  company  who  weni 
by  the  other  path  might  overtake\hem,  and 
frequently  flopped  for  them. 

When  night  approached,  they  came  to  a 
large  creek  where  fome  Indians  were,  who 
had  begun  to  prepare  the  ground  for  plant- 
'"g,^°^"-  At  this  place  they  ftaid  two 
lights,  and  being  too  indolent  to  procure 
game  by  hunting,  their  diet  was  ftill  very 

fZ\      l""'  ^'■'."S''^  much  exhaufted.  fo 
hat  they  became  impatient  of  waiting  for 

S^trrtopte?  ^"  '''^  ''"^""°"  ' '^"  . 

After  travelling  till  near  noon,  they  made 
a  fhort  ftay.    ftripped  the  bark  ofF  I  Tree 
and  then  painted,  in   their  Indian  manner 
hemfelves  and  the  prifoners  on  the  body  of 
the  tree,-  this  done,  they  kt  up  a  ftick  with 

?  P.'l'i"';  '°P'  '"  which  they  placed  a 
iinall  bufh  of  leaves,  and  leaned  the  ftick  fo 
that  the  (hadow  of  the  leaves  fliould  fall  to 
the  point  of  the  ftick  where  it  was  fixeJ  b 
the  ground,    by   which   means    the    others 


# 


Here 


C*' 


(    90   ) 

Here  they  feparated  the   prifoners  again, 
thofe  to   whom  Thomas  Peart  and   Jofeph 
Gilbert  were  allotted  went  weftward  out  of 
the  path,  but  Sarah  Gilbert  and  Benjamin 
Gilbert,  jun.  with  one   Indian,  continued   in 
the  path..     This  was  very  diftrcfling  to  Sarah 
to  be  torn  from  her  relations,  and  deprived 
of  all  the  comforts,  and  even   neceffarics  of 
hfe,     Thefe   two>  with  the  Indian  who  had 
the  care  of  them,  after  they  had  parted  with 
the  other   two,    and   travelled  forward  a  few 
miles,  came  to    fome  Indians  by  the  fide  of 
a  creek,  who  gave  them  fomething  to  eat. 
The  next  day  the  Indian,  who  was  their  pilot, 
exerted    himfelf  to  obtain  fome  provifions, 
but    his   endeavours   proved  fruitlefsj    they 
therefore  fuffered  greatly.     At  night  the  In- 
dian afked  Sarah  if  Ihe  had  ever  eaten  horfe^ 
flelh,  or  dogsi  ihe  replied,  ihe  had  not  j  he 
then  further  furprifed  her  by  afking  whether 
ihe  had  ever  eat  man's  flefh  j  upon  her  ex- 
prefTing  her  abhorrence^  he  replied  that  he 
Ihould   be  under  the  necelTuy  of  killing  the. 
boy,    for    he    could    not  procure   any    deer. 
This  threat,  although  perhaps   not  intended 
to   be   executed,    terrified    her  exceedingly. 
He  hunted  with  great  diligence,  leaving^the 
captives    by    themfelves,     and    appeared    to 
i^; 'dder  himfelf  at  what  he  had  threatened, 
willing  to  try  every  refource  ;  but  notwith- 
ftanding  his  exertions,  her  fears  prevailed  ia 

2L  '^QTy. 


a  ver 

flowl) 

their  ( 

they  \ 

were  y 

tion, 

at  Cai 

mains 

ter  we 

whom 

As  t 

Gilber 

going  ( 

masPc 

Tor 

from  tl 

mounti 

Inth 

their  cc 

hair,    e 

crown  < 

in  the  I 

appear 

their  ha 

headed 

lent  hea 

provifio 

Whci 

ments, 

whoop  in 

ioners,  i 

tw  the  ni 


(    91     ) 

a  very  great  degree.  They  went  forwa:  \ 
flowly  being  very  weak,  and  in  addition  to 
their  diftrefs,  there  fell  a  very  heavy  rain,  and 
they  were  obliged  to  continue  in  it,  as  they 
were  without  fhelter.  In  this  reduced  fitua- 
tion,  they  at  length  came  to  one  of  the  huts 
at  Canodofago,  where  they  drcfTed  the  re- 
mains of  their  mouldy  corn,  and  the  day  af- 
ter were  joined  by  the  part  of  the  company 
whom  they  had  left  ten  days  before.  - 

As  the  few  days  folitary  fufferings  of  Sarr.h 
Gilbert  had  been  before  unrelated^  the  fore- 
going digreffion,  from  the  narrative  of  Tho- 
mas Peart's,  may  not  be  thought  improper. 

To  return  to  the  two  who  were  feparated 
from  the  path,  and  had  to  go  forwards  acrofs 
mountains  and  vallies,  fwamps  and  creeks. 

In  the  morning  they  eat  the  remainder  of 
their  corn.  The  Indians  then  cut  off  their 
hair,  excepting  a  fmall  round  tufn  on  the 
crown  of  the  head  ;  and,  after  painting  them 
in  the  Indian  manner,  in  order  to  make  them 
appear  more  terrible,  they  took  from  them 
their  hats.  Being  thus  obliged  to  travel  bare- 
headed  in  the  fun,  they  were  feized  with  viow 
icnt  head  achsj  and  this,  added  to  a  want  of 
provifions,.  was  truly  diflrefling.  i 

When  they  approached  the  Indian  fettle- 
n-ients,  the  Indians  began  their  cu-ftomary 
whooping,  to  announce  their  arrival  with  pri- 
soners, iffuing  their  difmal  yells  according, 
tu  tiio  liumber  brought  in^ 

Afteir 


!  ! 


I 


1 


(        9a        ) 

'After  fome  Oiort  time  an  Indian  came  to 
thtm :  with  him  they  held  a  difcourfe  con- 
ccrnmg  the  prilbncrs,  and  painted  them 
atrefh,  part  black,  and  part  red,  as  a  diftin- 
guiihing  mark.  When  this  ceremony  was 
concluded,  the  Indian  who  met  them  retura- 
cd,  and  the  others  continued  their  route. 
-  As  they  were  r>ot  far  from  the  InJian 
towns,  they  foon  faw  great  numbers  of  the 
Indians  colleding  together,  though  the  pri- 
loners  were  ignorant  of  the  motives. 

When  they  came  up  to  this  difagreeable 
conripany,  the  Indian,  who  firft  met  them, 
took  the  firing  that  was  about  Thomas 
mrts  neck,  with  which  he  had  been  tied  at 
night,  and  held  him  whilft  a  Squaw  ftrippcd 
off  his  veft.  "^^ 

Jofeph  Gilbert  was  ordered  to  run  firft, 
but  being  lame  and  indifpofed,  could  only 
walk.  Ihe  clubs  and  tomahawks  flew  fo 
thick,  that  he  was  forely  bruifed,  and  one  of 
the  tomahawks  ftruck  him  on  the  head,  and 
brought  him  to  the  ground,  when  a  lad  of 
about  fifteen  years  old  run  after  him,  and,  as  he 
My,  would  undoubtedly  have  ended  him,  as 
he  had  lifted  the  tomahawk  for  that  purpofe 
but  the  king's  fon  fent  orders  not  to  kill  him.' 

After  him,  Thomas  Peart  was  fct  ofi^j  he 
feeing  the  horrid  fituation  of  his  brother, 
was  fo  terrified,  that  he  did  not  ^colled  the 
Indian  ftill  kept  hold  of  the  firing  which  was 

rniinrl 


round 
great  i 
over,  ' 
feet,  I 
lad  wh 
Jofeph 
his  ton 


tion. 

Theii 
ed,  and 
bert*s  w 
tacle  to 

After 
afked  T 
replied, 
*'  eat  b; 
cured  fo 
but  Jofe 
his  appe 


(    93    ) 

round  his  neck;  but.  fpringing forwards  with 
great  force  and  fwiftnefs,  he  pulled  the  Indian 
over,  who,  in  return,  when  he  recovered  his 
eet,   beat  him  feverely  with   a  club.     The 
lad  who  was  ftanding  witli  a  tomahawk  near 
Jofeph  Gilbert,  as  he  palTed  by  him.   threw 
his  tomahawk  with  great  dexterity,  and  would 
certainly   have   ftruck    him.  if  he  had  not 
fprung  forwards,  and  avoided   the    weapon. 
When  he  had  got  oppofite  to  one  of  their 
huts,  they  pointed  for  him  to  take  Hielter 
there,  where  Jofeph  Gilbert  came  to  him  as 
foon  as  he  recovered.     In  the  room  were  a 
number  of  women,  who  appeared  very  forrow- 
ful,  and  wept  aloud ;  this,  though  cuftomary 
amongft  them,  ftill   added   to  "the  terror  of 
the  captives,  as  they  imagined  it  to  be  no 
other   than  a  prelude  to  inevitable  dearuc- 

Thei^r  hair  cropt  clofe,  their  bodies  bruif- 
ed,  and  the  blood  gulhing  from  Jofeph  Gil- 
bert s  wound,  rendered  them  a  horrid  foec- 
tacle  to  each  other,  *^ 

After  the  lamentations  ceafed,  one  of  thei»- 
afked  Thomas  Peart,  if  he  was  hungrV  h^ 
replied,  he  was :  they  then  told  him,  '•  You 
"  eat  by  and  by."  They  immediately  pro- 
cured fome  viftuals,  and  fet  it  before  them, 
but  Joleph  Gilbert's  wounds  had  taken  away 
his  appetite.  ' 


''i 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTEK.  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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\§pt^- 


t    94     ) 

j^n  officer,  who  was  of  the  French  farxnlics 
of  Canada,  came  to  them,  and  brought  a 
Jicgro  with  him  to  interpret.  After  qucf- 
tioning  them,  he  concluded  to  write  to  CoU 
Johnfon,  at  Niagara,  relative  to  the  prifoners. 

The  Indians  advifed  them  to  be  contented 
with  their  prefent  fituation,  and  marry  a- 
mongit  them,  giving  every  aflurance  that 
.rhey  ihould  be  treated  with  the  titmoft  re- 
•fped:  but  thefe  conditions  were  inadmif- 
fible. 

Afta-  this,  Jofeph  Gilbert  was  taken  from 
liis  brother,  as  related  in  the  narrative  of  his 
fufFerings. 

Thomas  Peart  continued  at  the  village 
that  night,  and  the  next  day  was  given  to 
the  care  of  a  young  Indian,  who  went  with 
hirn  about  two  miles,  where  feverai  Indians 
were  colledled,  drefled  in  horrid  mafks,  m 
order,  as  he  fuppofed,  to  make  fport  of  his 
fears,    if  he    difcovered   any-    he   therefore 
guarded  againft  being  farprifed,  and   whea 
they   obferved  him  not  to  be  intimidated, 
they  permitted  him  to  return  again.     Not 
long  after  his  arriving  at  the  village,  Capt. 
Rowland  Monteur  came  in,  who  gave  Tho- 
mas Peart  fome  account  how  the  others^  of 
his  family  had  fufFered,  and  told  him  that  he 
had  almoft  killed  his  mother  and  JeflTe,  on 
account  of  Andrew  Harrigar's  making  his 
cfca|)e.    He  had  come  in  before  the  others. 


in 


in  order 

compan) 

When 

accom;^a 

Captain  i 

tented,  a 

fo  he   ft 

Thomas , 

that  if  h( 

Niagara. 

They  c 

ral  days, 

ftring  fro 

fully  fecu 

The  pj 

fix   for   a 

their  crop 

the  Genef 

removing 

went  thitis 

was  exped 

ed  it  in  ab 

to  their  ol 

Thomai 

the  chief 

his   apprei 

meet  with 

The  In( 

dirty  and 

fdvcs  difre 

ly  mortify] 


(    95    ) 

in  order  to  procure  fortie  pfovifions  for  tke 
company,  who  were  in  great  need  of  iu 

When  the  Captain  returned.  Thomas  Peait 
accom;>anied  him  part  of  the  way,  and  the 
Captain  advifed  him  to  be  cheerful  and  con- 
tented, and  work  faithful  for  the  friend,  for 
io  he  (tiled  the .  Indian  under  whofc  care 
Thomas. Peart  wa«  placed,  promifing  him 
that  ,f  he  complied,  he  Ihould  Ihortly  go  to 
jMiagara*  ^ 

They  employed  him  in  chopping  for  fevc- 
ral  days,  having  previous  to  this  taken  the 
ftring  from  his  neck,  which  they  had  care- 
tully  fecured  him  with  every  night. 

The  plantation  on  which  they  intended  t® 
fix  for  a  fummer  refidence,  and  to  plant 
their  crop  of  corn,  was  feveral  miles  down 
the  Genefee,  or  Little  River.  Prior  to  their 
removing  with  the  family,  fome  of  the  men- 
went  thither,  and  built  a  bark  hut,  which, 
was  expcditiouay  performed,  as  they  execut- 
ed  It  in  about  two  days,  when  they  returned 
to  their  old  habitation. 

Thomas  Peart  was  the  .ext  day  given  t 
the  chief  Indian,  who  endeavoured  to  quiet 
his   appreheiifmns,   afluring   him  he  ihould 
meet  with  kind  treatment. 

The  Indian  manner  of  life  is  remarkably 
dirty  and  loufyj  and  although  they  them- 
elves  difregard  their  filth,  yet  it  was  extreme- 
ly  mortifying  to  the  prifoners  to  be  deprived 

of 


* 


■ft* 


(  96  ) 

of»  the  advantages  of  cleanlinefs :  and  this 
was  by  no  means  among  the  number  of  fmal- 
ler  difficulties. 

As  Thomas  Peart  had  been  accuftomed  to 
induftryj   and  when   firft  among  tne  Indians 
was   conftantly   exerting   himfelf,    either   in 
their  aftive  diverfions  or  ufeful  labour,  they 
were  much  delighted  with  him.     When  they 
had  concluded    upon    fending    him    to  the 
fllmily  he  was  to  refide  with,  they  daubed 
him    afreOi  with  their  red   paint.     He  was 
then  taken  about  feven  miles,  where  he  was 
adopted  into  the  family,  and  filled  "  Och- 
"  nufa,"  or  uiicle.     When  the  ceremony  of 
adoption   was   performed,  a  number  of  the 
relatives  were  fummoned  together,  and  the 
head  of  them  took  Thomas   Peart  into  the 
midft  of  the  aflembly,  and  made  a  long  ha- 
rangue in  the   Indian  language.     After  this 
he  was  taken  into  the  houfe,  where  the  wo- 
men wept  aloud  for  joy,  th^t  the  place  of  a 
deceafed  relation  was  again  fvi{3pl led. 

The  old  man,  whofe  place  Thomas  Peart 
was  to  fill,  had  never  been  confidered  by  his 
family  as  pofreflcd  of  any  merit ;  and,  ftrangc 
as  it  may  appear,  the  perfon  adopted  always 
holds,  in  their  eftimation,  the  merits  or  de- 
jpfierits  of  the  deceafed,  and  the  mod  careful 
*condu6t  can  never  overcome  this  prejudice. 

As  loon  as  the  ceremony  of  adoption  at 
this  place  was  finiihed,  he  was  taken  by  th 

famil 


r 


famil 

River 

or  kif 

was  fi 

a  feco 

Th( 

a  feafc 

dried  ^ 

which 

food;  ^ 

the  ga 

Tho 

Indian 


one 


<^ 


ner,  as 
after  hi 
Grea 
the  wo( 
fituatio 
relation 
vity, 

Heo 

five  wee 
fumed  i 
fupply  ^ 
to  go  th 
that  Th 
he  was  I 
and  the 
preparat 


> 


■"•■■^•Ili 


f 


and  this 
•  of  fmal- 

torned  to 
;  Indians 
either  in 
)ur,  they 
hen  they 
I    to  the 

daubed 

He  was 
e  he  was 
I  "  Och- 
^nnony  of 
T  of  the 

and  the 
into  the 
Jong  ha- 
fter  this 

the  wo- 
lace  of  a 

as  Peart 

J  by  his 
'j  ftrangc 
i  always 
s  or  de- 
l  careful 
tudice, 
ption  at 
n  by  th< 
famili 


<    97  -) 


family  to  Nundow,  a  town  on  thr  P-,*" 
River.     The  head  of  this  Ll^y  w,s  a  Sf 
or  k,ng  of  the  Senecas.    But  before  ThomL 

ihflT''  '^  '^"r'!?'  '"'^  ""  boiled  Sher' 
food  Thl  '=**"'^''«='- ft^ng  and  whSS 
tood.  They  never  throw  away  anv  oarf  r^ 
the  game  they  take.  ^   ^^  ^^'"  ** 

inP°T.  ^"">  ^'^^'  '^ss  entirely  ja  the 
Indunftile    painted  and  or^^enU  1^ 

Greatly  difconte!,ted,  he  often  retired  into 
the  woods,  and  reflefted  upon  his  unhan,^! 
fituanon.  without  hopes  of  ^wurnLrto  £1 
relations,  or  ever  being  refcued  K  Spti! 

fiv"weer'when'",?'>^""''"^^^'^"fion''«'out 
nve  weeics,  when  their  corn  was  moftJv  rnn 

fumed  i  and  as  their  dependence  for  a  freA 
fupply  was  on  Niagara  Fort  thlvcLruI^ 
to  go  thither,  but  at  firft  wn.^W^  concluded 

.hat  Thomas'  Ihould"  a'cfomTny  tK" ffi 
ne  was  fo  uraent    rhf.tr  ^t-  i      •'^.       ":*  **"^ 

and  the  nexS'tta  aWdi?"^'"''*^*    • 
preparatory  to  tLr  cxpedii;"'^""'  ^'^''' 


In 


imp* 


^ 


^ii 


i   98   ) 

In  the  route  Thomas  P^art  got  a  deer, 
-which  was  an  acceptable  acquifition,  a«  they 
had  been  for  fome  days  without  any  meatj 
and  their  corn  was  likewife  expended. 

When  they  came  within  two  miles  of  the 
fort,  they  halted^  and  ftaid  there  xxnttl  morn- 
ing. 

A  white  prifoner,  whocame  from  the  fcwt, 
;;gave  Thomas  Peart  a  particular  relation  of 
his  fellow  captives :  this  was  the  firft  account 
he  had  of  them  fince  their  fcparation  at  the 
Indian  t  wns.  As  foon  as  he  came  to  the 
fort,  he  applied  to  fome  of  the  officers,  re- 
quefting  their  exertions  to  procure  Thomas's 
4iberty,  if  poflible  j  but  he  was  difappointed, 
,as  nothing  could  be  then  done  to  ferve  him. 

He  eat  fome  fait  provifions,  which,  as  he 
had  tailed  but  little  fait  fince  his  captivity, 
(although  pleafing  to  his  palate)  aflfeded  his 
ilotnach,  it  being  difficult  for  him  to  digeft. 

A.  he  was  to  return  with  the  Indians  in 
about  a  week,  it  was  very  diftreffing,  being 
much  difgufted  with  the  fare  he  met  amongft 
them; 

They  returned  by  way  of  Fort  Slulher,  and 
then  along  Like  Erie,  up  Buffalo  Creek,  tak 
ing  fome  iifh  as  they  went.  They  paffed  by 
the  place*  where  Elizabeth  Peart,and  Rebecca 
Gilbert  were,  but  he  had  not  an  opportunity 
of  feeing  them. 


The  I 


(    99    ) 

fiftln  n?*"""  ^\V°°^^°""'  '^''h  them,  con- 
fifted  of  rum,  fait,  and  ammunition. 

Lake  Erie  ,s  about  three  hundred  miles 
long  from  eaft  to  weft,  and  about  for??  in 

Laltsuoerr"',[c"  jf?  ^^1?  of  waters  f^om 
Norrh  w^T    'J^"'"S»"  ""'J  Huron,  by  a 

Detroit      A  Tf'  ""''^'^^  Streights^f 
Detroit.     A  very  long  narrow  piece  of  land 
lies  on  ,ts  north  fide,  which  projeas  remark- 
ably mto  the  lake,  and  has  been  notTcTd  b» 

ot  Long  i-oint.     There  are  fcveral  ifland<!  iir 
■T.  wh.ch,  with  the  banks  of  the  lake  te 
more  >nfeted  with  different  kinds  of  fnakes 
part^ularly    the   ratfe-fnake,    thaL   other 

The  navigation  of  this  lake  is  allowed  to 
be  more  dangerous  than  the  othe  s    on  ,r 
count  of  the  high  lands  prxjeft  ng  inw  it 
fo  that  when  fudden  ftorms  arifc^^boa !  ari 
^TT^^  lofti  «  there  ar<:  but  few  p  ace! 

welter  near  the  craggy  precipices.  ^ 

The  waters  of  £rie  pafs  through  a  norrh 
«ft ^communication  into  the  rivfrNiari" 

nx  miles,-  falls  ,nto  Lake  Ontario  ' 

At  the  difcharge  of  this  river'  into  Lake 

«    ErL  Fort     LT'"'",  ^'""^  ^ake  Erie 
I       t^mtotti  between  tJiele  two  forts  are 

^  ^  thofe 


(      100     *) 

rUioTe  dtcaordinary  falls  which  claim  the 
attention  of  the  curious,  and  arc  amongft 
;thc  moft  remarkable  ^works  of  nature. 

This  ftupciiuoas  catarad  is  fupplied  by 
the  waters  of  the  fcvcrd  lakes,  and  their 
diftant  f^wit^ ;  whicb>  after  traverfing  many 
hundred  miles,  mih  aftonilhingly  down  a 
moft  horrid,  precipictr,  and  which,  by  afmall 
iflaadfis  feparated  into  two  large  columns, 
.,and  eadi  near  one  hundred  and  forty  feet 
,  perpendicular,  and  in  a  ftrong,  rapid,  in- 
conceivable foam  and  roar,  extends  near  nine 
miles  further^  having  in  this  diftancc  a  de- 
fccQt  aearly  equal  to  the  firft. 

»Tbe  ftreight  of  Niagara  is  efteemed  dan- 
*gerous  for  a  mile  or  upwards  above  the  falls. 
The  water  of  the  falls  raifes  a  very  heavy 
WMft,  fomowhat  r^^fembding  a  continuation  of 
.the  river  J  and  this  deception,  together  with 
the  rapidity  of  the  current,  frequently  hur- 
ries the  dwjcks  and  gecfe  dowa  this  dreadful 
precipice. 

This  vaft  body  of  water,  after  paffing 
through  the  Streight  of  Niagara,  is  received 
by  Lake  Ontario,  Oir  Cataraqui,  which  is 
nearly  rof  an  oval  form.  Its  greateft  length 
is  from  north-^eaft  tofouth-weft,  and  is  gene- 
rally  allowed  to  be  fix  hundred  miles  in  cir- 
cumference. And  although  the  ieaft  of  the 
five  great  lakes  of  Canada  is  much  the  fafcft 
for  fhiiPfing,  -as .the  channel  is  lefs  obftruaed 


by  rock 

The  foul 

batteaux 

ihelving 

other  is 

Many 

barred  i 

but  the  y 

On  th( 

which  fa) 

little  Sen 

der  then 

after  the 

flow  and 

In  oi^( 

between' 

is  a  portaj 

Falls,  to 

hills,  aloi 

or  nine  nn 

as  it  poif 

is -about  ( 

fwift  here 

ftcm  it  foi 

ftifFeft  ga 

pafs  along 

rent  is  Je 

Borth-eaft 

Cataraqui. 

From  th 

lakes,  we 

prifoner,  i 


m 


im  the 
mongfl: 

icd  hy 
d  their 

*  many 
own  a 
a  fmall 
lumnsj 
ty  feet 
id,  in- 
ar  nine 
;  adc- 

d  dan* 
e  falls, 
heavy 
it  ion  of 
?r  with 
y  hur- 
readful 

paffing 
jceived 
dch  is 
length 
\  gene- 
in  cir- 
of  the 

*  fafcft 
;ru(5i;ed 

by 


(     loi 

by  rocks  or  iHands,  \han  the  other  lakes. 
The  fouth  fide  is  the  moft  commodiom  for 
batteaux  and  canoes,  having  a  moderately 
flielving  bank  and  Ihorc  on^  that  fide :  the 
other  is  more  rocky. 

Many  of  the  rivers  which  fall  ii^to  it,  are 
barred  m  their  entrances  by  broken  hills 
but  the  valJies  arc  uncommonly  fertile,         ' 

On  the  fouth  th€  moft  confiderabk  rivers 
whichTall  into  this  lake,  are,  the  great  and 
little  Scn-ca.  The  falls  of  thefc  rivers  ren- 
der  them  not  navigable  near  the  lake;  but 
after  the  carrying-places  arc  pafled,  they  run 
flow  and  deep.  '  \ 

la  CH»der  to  keep  up  the  comimaication 
between  the  different  pawls  of  Canada,  there 
n  a  portage  from  the  landing  below  Niagara 
trails,  to  the  landing  above,  up  three  fharp 
fulls,  along  which,  the  road  for  about  eight 
or  nme  miles  has  been  «iade  as^  eafy  for  carts 
as  It  poifibly  could  5  (thence  to  Lake  Erie 
is-about  eighteen  miles)  but  the  (Iream  h  fo 
fwift  here,  that  it  is  almoft  impoffibFc  to 
ftcm  i-t  for  a  mile  or  two  in  a  (hip  with  the 
ttiftelt  gale  ;  tho\>gh  battcaux  and  canoes 
pafs  along  without  much  daiFger,  as  the  cur- 
rent is  lefs  rapid  near  the  Ihore.  On  the 
«orth.eaft  it  empties  itfelf  into  the  river 
tataraqui. 

From  this  fhort  digrefllve  accownt  of  the 
lakes,  we  may  return  to  the  fit»atmn  of  the 
pnioner,  and  the  Indian  family. 

E3  When 


<l 


■■»;;, 


I  ■■■" 


(.     loa     ) 

When  they  had  confumed  their  laft  year's 
ftock  of  corn,  they  Jived  very  low,  and  were 
reduced  to  great  neceflity,  digging  what  wild 
cfculent  roots  they  could  End  •,  this  was  fo 
different  from  what  he  had  been  accuftomed 
to,  that  he  could  not  b^ar  it  with  that  cheer- 
fulnef^  with  which  the  Indians  n>et  fuch  dif- 
ficulties. His  painful  reflexions,  and  the 
want  of  neceffaries,  reduced  him  exceeding 
low.  «     .J 

Whilft  in  this  diftrefs,  he  happily  obtained 
the  ufe  of  a  tcftament  from  a  white  woman, 
"who  had  been  taken  captive,  and  afterwards 
married  amongft  them.  With  this  folacing 
companion,  he  frequently  retired  into  the 
woods,  and  employed  himfelf  in  reading  and 
meditating  upon  the  iaftruAion  couched  in 
It. 

The  Indians  direded  a  white  girl  to  inform 
him,  that  they  intended  a  hunt  of  twenty 
days,  and  were  dcfirous  he  Ihould  attend 
them ;  to  this  he  agreed,  and  the  whole 
family  accompanied  the  hunters.  They  paf- 
fed  by  the  town  where  Jofeph  Gilbert  was, 
who  informed  his  brother  that  he  was  going 
to  Niagara:  Thomas  Peart  replied  he  had 
already  been  there,  and  then  informed  him 
how  the  otheiTR  of  their  relatioris  were  dif- 
perfed. 

On  their  way  up  the  Genefee  River,  where 
they  intended  to  hunt,  they  took  a  deer. 

The 


The  \ 
beating 
at  lengcl 
him.  V 
fatigued 
they  wer 
ficuation 

The  n 
as  they  ^ 
quarters^ 

Thorn 
them,  t 
This,  ac 
them  to 
fo  weak 
and  was 
the  leave 

Their 
it  was  n 
fumed  i 
were  unc 
ries. 

Thep 
captive, 
and  to  b 
with  the 
though 
to  reach 
trcmity  < 
which  w 
fupply  i 


year's 
d  were 
at  wild 
was  fo 
ftomed 

cheer- 
ck  dif. 
nd  the 
eeding 

>tained 
^oman, 
rwards 
>lacing 
to  the 
ngand 
bed  in 

inform 
twenty 
attend 
whole 
zy  paf- 
t  was, 
going 
le  had 
d  him 
•e  dif- 

wherc 

The 


C    103   > 

The  fourth  day,  as  Thomas  Peart  was 
beating  for  game,  he  loft  his  company  j  but 
at  length  came  to  fome  Indians,  who  direded 
him.  When  he  came  to  the  family  much 
fatigued,  and  told  them  he  had  been  loft, 
they  were  much  delighted  at  the  perplexing 
fituation  he  had  been  in. 

The  next  day  they  moved  further,  hunting 
as  they  went,  and  in  the  evening  fixed  their 
quarters,  where  they  ftaid  two  nights. 

Thomas  Peart,  not  endeavouring  to  pleafe 
them,  they  took  umbrage  at  his  negled:* 
This,  added  to  a  fit  of  the  ague,  induced 
them  to  leave  him  in  the  woods,  he  being 
fo  weak  he  could  not  keep  ud  with  them, 
and  was  obliged  to  follow  by  their  tracks  ia 
the  leaves. , 

Their  provifions  foon  began  to  waftc,  and 
it  was  not  long  before  it  was  entirely  con- 
fumed  i  and  as  they  took  no  game,  they 
were  under  the  neceffity  of  eating  wild  cher- 
ries. 

The  profped  appeared  very  gloomy  to  our 
captive,  to  be  thus  diftreficd  with  hunger, 
and  to  be  from  home  near  one  hi2ndrcd  miles 
with  the  whole  faniily :  but  this  fituation, 
though  fo  alarming  to  him,  did  not  appear 
to  reach  their  Stoic  infenfibility.  In  this  ex- 
tremity one  of  the  Indians  killed  a  fine  elk, 
which  was  a  long  wifhed-for  and  delightful 
fupply  i  but  as  the  weather  was  very  warm, 

E  4  and 


1 


(     «04     ) 

anc|  they  had  no  faJt,  it  fooiri  became  putrid, 
and  filled  with  maggots,  which  they,  not- 
withftanding,.  eat  without  rcfcrve. 

After  they  had  been  our  upwards  of  thirty 
days,  the  Indians  changed  their  courfc  to- 
wards their  own  habitation,  making  but 
little  progrefs  forwards,  a?  they  kept  hunt- 
ing as  they  went.  And  as  Thomas  had  long 
been  uneafy,  and  defirous  to  return,  not 
cxpe6ling  to  have  been  abfcnt  more  than 
twenty  days,  they  gave  him  fome  dircdlions, 
aiid  a  fmall  iha  of  provifionsj  he  then  left 
tlhem^^  after  an  unfuccefsful  hunt  of  forty 
days :  and,  although  weak  and  unfit  for  the 
journey,  he  fet  off  in  the  morning,  and  kept 
as  near  a  north  weft  courfe  as  he  could, 
going  as  faft  as  bis  ftrength  would  permit 
over  large  cr-eks,  fwamps,  and  rugged  hills  ; 
and  when  night  came  on,  made  up  a  fmall 
fire,^  and  being  exceedingly  fatigued,  laid 
hh-rifelf  down  on  the  ground,  and  flept  very 
foundly.  In  the  morning  he  continued  his 
journey. 

When  he  confidered  the  great  diftance 
through  the  woods  to  the  Indian  tov/ns,  and 
the  difficulty  of  procuring  game  to  fwbfift  on, 
k  dejc(fted  him  greatly.  His  fpirits  were  fo 
depreficd,  that  when  his  fire  was  extinguifhed 
i#  the  night,  he  even  heard  the  wild  beads 
walking  and  howling  around  him,  without 
regarding  them,  as  with  all  his  exertions  and 

afliduity. 


affiduil 
reachir 
fuccee( 

On  t 
roots  a 

Wh^ 
were  p 
the  rea 
had  lei 
fijlly  ir 

Thii 
ni'w  cr 
pumpk 
prorpe( 
quen;, 

Abo 
turned 
had  rej 
that  he 
he  cvei 

The 
exciirfi 
but  he 
thcrefo 
not  Ic 
brothci 
fifteen 
Gcnefe 

Benj 
indifpG 
kim  fe 


■ 


m 


(     105     ) 

afliduity,  he  had  but  fmrii  hope  of  ever 
reaching  the  towns,  but  provicfcntblly  he 
fuccccded.  ^     ^ 

Oil  the  journey  he  eat  a  land  tortoife,  fomo 
roots  and  wild  cherries. 

When  he  reached  the  town,  the  Indians 
were  pkafed  with  his  return,  and  inquired 
the  reafon  of  his  coming  alotie,  and  where  he 
had  left  the  fanriily  he  went  with;  which  he 
fully  informed  them  of. 

This  being  the  time  for  fcafting  on  their 
iii'w  crop  of  corn,  and  they  having  plenty  of 
pumpkins  and  fqAialhes,  gave  an  agreeable 
profpeA  of  a  Ihort  feafon  of  health,  and  fre- 
quent:, though  (impk,  t'eads^r 

About  ten  days  after  this,  the  family  re- 
tfurned  i  they  foon  inqu/ed  if  Thomas  Feart 
had  reached  home,  and  upon  being  informed 
that  he  had,  replied  that  it  was  not  expeded 
he  ever  could. 

The  Indians  concluding  to  make  a  war 
excurfion,  afked  Thomas  to  be  with  themj 
but  he  determinatcly  refufed  them,  and  was 
therefore  left  ar  honic  with  the  fanjily;  and 
not  Ic^g  after  had  permiffion  to  vifit  his 
brother  Benjamin  Peart,  who  was  then  about 
fifteen  or  eighteen  miles  diftant,  down  the 
Genefee  river; 

Benjamin  Peart  was  at  ihat  time  Ycry  m«ch 
indifpofed;  Thomas,  therefore,  ftaid  with 
kim  feverai  d^s^  and,  when  he  recovered  a 

£  5  UttJic 


(     io6    ) 

little  ftrength,  left  hin,,  and  returned  to  his 
old  habitation. 

cSfmr**  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
cuftoms,    nranners,   and  difpofitions  of  the 

jult  as  they  had  done  the  old  worthlefs  In- 

having  been  confidered  a  perquifite  of  the 
S^fiiV.''*  '\"'^°''  conclJed  he  would 

cnJeavlr','  f^'^^^f  ■•'?  t^^o".  and  ufed  na 

endeavours   to  pleafe  them,   as  his  bufinefs 

v/as  to  cut  wood  for  the  family,  notwTth- 

ftand.ng  he  m,ght  eafily  have  procured Tfuf- 

ficient  ftore    yet  he  was  not  fo  difpofed,  but 

often  refufcd    and  even  left  it  for  the  Squawa 

fometimes  to  do  themfelves.  not  doubting,  if 

he  was  diligent  and  careful,  they  would-be 

lefs  willing  to  give  him  his  liberty. 

Jo(eph  Gilbert  came  to  fee  him,  and.  a» 
has  been  mentioned,  informed  himot  thede- 
eeafe  of  their  father. 

u  ^^"'^  Vnie  in  the  fall,  the  king  fwhofe 
brother  Thomas  was  called)  died,  a^dSwas 
d  retted  to  hew  boards,  and  make  a  coffin  for 

;.  ^iU""  !,"  "•  **^~•"pleted,.  they  fmeared 
It  with  red  paint.  The  women,  wliofe  atten. 
tion  to  this  IS  always  infifted  on  amongft  the 

Krt'i,  P'  '^^  ^°'P^''  ^°'  '■^^^"l  days, 
ht  ■ff.y.P'-'^P^^ld  a  grave,  and  interred 
himj  u  being  confidered  amongft  this  tribe 
difgraccful  for  a  man  to  take  tny  notice  of 

this 


(107    ) 

this  folemn  and  interefting  fcene.  A  numbef 
of  Squaws  collecled  upon  this  occafion,  and 
there  was  great  mourning,  which  they  con- 
tinued for  feveral  days  at  ftated  times.  As 
the  place  of  interment,  as  well  as  that  ap- 
pointed for  weeping,  was  near  the  hut 
Thoma*  Peart  refided  at,  he  had  an  opp^.  • 
tunity  of  indulging  his  curiofity,  through  the 
openings  of  the  logs,  without  giving  of- 
fence. 

Soon  after  this,  one  of  the  women,  who 
was  called  Thomas's  fifter,  defired  him 
to  accompany  her  about  fifty  miles  towards 
Niagara.  Some  others  of  the  family  went 
with  them,  and  in  their  way  they  took  a 
deer  and  other  game. 

They  were  from  home  on  this  journey 
about  fix  days;  during  the  time,  there  fell  a 
very  heavy  fnow,  which  made  their  journey 
toilfome.  The  women  were  fent  homeward 
before  the  reft„  to  prepare  Something  againft 
they  came. 

When  they  had  loitered  at  home  a  few 
days,  they  fet  about  gathering  their  winter 
ftore  of  hickory  nuts;  from  fome  of  them 
they  extrafted  an  oil,  which  they  cat  with 
bread  or  meat,  at  their  pleafure. 

Frequently  before  they  fet  ofF  on  their 
hunting  parties,  they  make  an  Indian  frolickj 
when,  commonly,  all  the  company  become 
'-'-•-•  **&••••*•/  iwiUAivatvu;  auur  wiicju  Uicy  in- 


Ed 


tend 


(     io8:    )         '•     . 

fend  to  go  off  this  winter,  they  firft  tnvc  the 
preparatory  entertainment. 

sx,^^^Z  ^  r^y  ^^'^  gone,  Thomas  Peart  and 
tht  miftrefs  of  the  family  difagreeing,.  fhe  in- 
lilted  upon  his  joining  to  the  hunters,   and 
living  on  the  game,  that  ihe  might  fave  more 
corn.   He  pleaded  the  coldnefs  of  the  fcafon, 
and  his  want  of  clothing,  but  it  would  not 
avail  i  he  was  therefore  turned  out,  and  upon 
finding   the    hunters,    he   built  them   huts^ 
if^here  they  ftaid  for  fomc  weeks,  taking  the 
game,  and  eating  wild  meat  without  corn,  as 
wF^^  they  had  raifed  was  Ihort. 
When  they  were  weary  with-  their  employ, 
<hey  moved  to  their  old  hut,  and  lived  in  their 
idle  manner  for  a  long  time.  They  then  again 
tfeturned  to  their  hut,   and  ftaid  about  ten 
eay3,  and  took  feveral  deer. 

A  few  days  after  their  return  from  hunting,, 
they  acquainted  Thomas  that  they  fliould  fct 
off  for  Niagara  I  which  was  truly  grateful  to 
.*?•     J!?^^^  ^^^^  ^^^een  of  them  on  this 
vifit.     The  old  woman  gave  Thomas  Peart  a^ 
JtriCt  charge  to  return. 
^  Although  the  profpea  of  feeing  or  hearing 
from   his  relations  Was   delightful,   yet  the 
journey  was  cxcefiTvely   piinful;    the   fnow 
covering  the  ground  to  a  confiderab^le  depth, 
th€  cold   inereafed,    and   they  had  to  Wade 
through  feveral  deep  creeks,  the  water  often 
iJ'eezing  te  their  lee^s-  and  Th^.r —  -^ 


krtrtoo 


T>w-. 


•  ow*«*»*w     A    VM* 


(•■» 


well 


y 


vc  the 

rt  and 
fhe  in- 
s,  and 
e  more 
fcafon. 
Id  not 
i  upon 
huts^ 
ng  the 
)rn,  as- 

nploy^ 
1  their 
i  again 
Jt  ten 

nting^ 
lid  fet 
ful  ta 
1  this 
cart  a^ 

'aHng 
t  the 

fnow 
epth, 
wade 
often 
I  if  as 

well 


(     ro9    ) 

well  as  the  reft   were  unclothed,  exceptrn^  a 

blanket  and  pair  of  leggings.  ^    'o  « 

In  five  days  they  came  to^^Fort  Slufher,  and 

Next  morniijg  they  went  to  Niagara,  where 
he  immediately  made  application  to  the  Bri! 
tifh  officers  to  folicit  his  releafe  cLf^Z 
^^-l'  '"for-'d  Colonel  Johnt;.  who'     ! 

time  to  deliberate  upon  the  fubjeft,  not 
willing  to  difoblige  the  Colonel,  and  at 
kngth  concluded  to  comply  with  his  remieft- 
telling  him,  that  however  hard  it  miX  be 
to  part  with  the=r  own  flelh,  yet,  topleafe  him! 

Ihl  wTref^:^''  ''^'"''  ''  -"'^  -^« 
Colonel  Johnfon  then  diredled  him  to  his 
own  houfe,  and  defired  him  to  clean  himfeJf 
and  fent  clothes  for  him  to  drefs  with.  Here 
he  had  plenty  of  fait  provifions,  and  eve^ 
peceffary  of  life:  this,  with  the  happy  reSn?^ 
ing  of  his  liberty  gave  a  new  fpriL  S%, 
fpints,  and,  for  a  few  days,  he  fcarcely  kncW 

fo7ch^angi7  ""'''^ '"'"  *''""'*  ""^°°*^"  d^ 
When  recruited,  he  went  to  work  fon 
Colonel  Johnfon,  and  a  few  weeks  affrr  h,^ 
the  fatisfaftion  of  his  brother  ^^atoin  P  ar  ^ 
comjjanyj  who,  though  not  releafed.  veZ' 
i-errmitca  to  it»y  at  th«  ion,  and  workidwitb 

his 


(      »I0      ) 

I 

his  brother  until  fpring;  when  Captain  Powell, 
Lieutenant  Johnfon,  and  Thonnas  Peart  went 
up  BafFalo  Creek,  with  two  boats  loaded  with 
provifions^  and  a  proportion  of  planting  corn, 
together  with  hoes,  to  be  diftributed  anaong 
the  Indians. 

In  this  expedition  Thomas  had  the  fatif- 
fadion  of  feeing  and  converfing  with  his 
filler  Rebecca^  which  was  the  firft  of  their 
meeting   together,    after  a  feparation  of   a 

year. 

At  the  diftribution  of  the  corn  and  hoes, 
the  Indians  met,  and  made  a  general  feafl; 
after  which,  they  difperfedj  and  the  officers, 
when  they  had  completed  their  bnfinefs,  re- 
turned to  Niagara,  after  an  abfence  of  eight 

or  nine  days. 

Thomas  Peart  was  fettled  at  Colonel  John- 
fon's,  to  work  for  him  at  two  (hillings  and 
fix  pence  per  day,  till  the  eighth  month,  when 
fix  of  the  captives  were  fent  to  Montreal, 
and  Thomas  alfo  had  permiffion  to  go,  but 
he  chofe  rather  to  ftay,  to  afford  his  affiftance 
to  his  fifter  Rebecca  Gilbert,  and  his  coufin 
Benjamin  Gilbert,  junior,  who  yet  remained 
in  captivity,  exerting  himfelf  as  ftrenuoufly 
as  poffible  on  their  behalf. 

In  the  fall,  he  went  up  again  to  Buffalo 
Creek,  where  he  law  his  filler  and  coufin  a 
fecond  time,  and  affured  his  filler  that  the 
Colonel  intended  to  infift  on  her  being  rc^ 
icaftd;  this  encouraged  her  to  hope. 

The 


The 

fufficieni 
winter; 
fort,  gei 
Englilh 
back  as 
neighboi 
fupply,  1 
to  the  fo 

In  the 
chop  vjoi 
himfelf  a 
in  which 
dian  cam 
knife  in  ] 
chief;  b 
Thomas 
him. 

A  wolf 
his  cabbi 
ing,  by  t 
nights  al 
fired  at  h 
fuppofed 
Next  f] 
again  up 
mated  his 
ral  Haldi 
officers  t( 
As  they 


(    III   ) 

The  Indians  are  too  indolent  to  employ 
fufficient  pains  to  preferve  their  grain  in  the 
winter;  therefore,  thofe  who  plant  near  the 
fort,  generally  fend  the  greater  part  to  the 
Englifh  to  preferve  for  them,  and  take  it 
back  as  they  want  it:  therefore,  what  this 
neighbourhood  had  more  than  for  a  (hort 
fupply,  they  carried  with  them  in  their  boats 
to  the  fort. 

In  the  winter,  Thomas  Peart  undertook  to 
chop  wood  for  the  Britifh  officers,  and  built 
himfelf  a  hut  about  two  miles  from  the  fort, 
in  which  he  lodged  at  night.  A  drunken  In' 
dian  came  to  his  cabbin  one  evening  with  a 
knife  in  his  hand,  with  an  intention  of  mif- 
chiefj  but,  being  debilitated  with  liquor, 
Thomas  Peart  eafily  wrefted  his  knife  from 
him. 

A  wolf  came  one  night  up  to  the  door  of 
his  cabbin,  which  he  difcovered  next  morn- 
ing,  by  the  tracks  in  the  fnow;  and,,. a  few 
nights  after,  paid  a  fecond  vifit,  when  he 
fired  at  him,  and,  by  the  blood  on  the  fnow, 
fuppofed  he  had  mortally  wounded  him. 

Next  fpring,  Thomas  went  with  the  officers 
again  up  Buffalo  Creek,  when  he  afrefh  ani- 
mated his  filter,  by  informing  her  that  Gene- 
ral Haldimand  had  given  orders  to  the 
officers  to  procure  their  liberty. 
As  they  returned  by  Fort  Erie,  their  boats 

riYcr.' 


k^^ 


(     ir2     ) 

river.  It  continues  in  thefe  parts  untill  late 
in  the  fpring;  fometimes  as  late  as  the  fifth 
month;  and,  as  foon  as  melted,  the  vegeta- 
tion is  aftonifbingly  quick. 

About  two  weeks  after  they  returned, 
Thomas  Peart  went  back  again  with  fome 
officers,  who  were  going  to  the  Indians. 

After  a  tour  of  fifteen  days,  he  came  again 
to  the  fort,  where  he  ft  aid  for  fevcral  weeks, 
and  received  feveral  letters  from  his  relations 
ftt  Montreal,  by  fome  officers  who  were  on 
their  way  toCataraguors,  on  Lake  Erie,  about 
eighty  miles  from  Niagara;  who,  in  their  way, 
faw  Rebecca  and  Benjamin  Gilbert,  jun..  with 
a  number  of  Indians,  going  for  Niagara. 
Thomas  Peart  made  as  quick  difpatch  as  pof- 
fible  to  meet  them,  delighted  wrth  the  pro- 
fpe6t  of  their  obtaining  their  liberty. 

They  took  a  porcupine,  which  is  fomewhat 
larger  than  a  rackoon,  and  covered  remarkably 
with  quills  of  bone,  about  eight  or  nine  in- 
ches long,  which  they  can  difcharge  with  fucb 
forccy  as  to  penetrate  through  aman's  hand  at 
a  confiderablc  diftance. 

A  few  days  after  he  returned  from  this  ex- 
pedition,, the  captives  were  delivered  upr 
thefe  two  had  been  with  the  Indians  upwards 
of  two  years. 

In  a  Ihort  time  after  their  relesfe,  Thomas 
Peart  procured  permiffion  for  them  and  hiin- 
M£  to  orocccd  to  Montreal,  and  was  furnilh- 

ed 


ed  with 

what  I 

their  p 

The 

they  w< 

cceded 

again  ft 

terred, 

Thoma 

not  lar 

after  b 

reached 

night, 

their  re 

receive( 

Gilbert 

of  his  I 

order  tc 

and  req 

tained 

immedi 

with  gi 

to  Gene 

dily  gra 

favours 

rememi: 

arrival  i 

he  had  t 

converfi 

nexionsj 

after  an 


till  late 

he  mh 

vcgcta- 

turned, 
h  fome 
ns. 

\e  again 
i  weeks, 
elations 
vcre  on 
f,  about 
eir  way^ 
tn..  with 
Hagara. 
I,  as  pof- 
be  pro- 

mewhat 
arkably 
nine  in- 
ith  fucb 
hand  at 

this  ex- 
•ed  upr 
kipwards 

Thomas 

id  him- 

furnifh- 

ed 


(     "3     ) 

cd  with  a  pafs,  containing  an  order  to  obtain 
what  provifions  they  might  be  in  want  of  in 
their  paffagc. 

The  fecond  day  of  the  fixth  month,  1782, 
they  went  on  board  the  (hip  Limner,  and  pro- 
ceeded towards  Montreal.     When  they  came 
againft  the  place  where  their  father  was  in- 
terred,   thofe   whom  they  were  with,    gave 
Thomas  and  Rebecca  notice,  though  they  did 
not  land,    but  purfued    their  voyage;,  and, 
after   being  {tven  days  on  the  water,    they 
reached  Fort  Lafhe en,  where  they  (laid  that 
night,  and  the  next  day  went  to  Montreal  to 
their  relations:  foon  after  which,  a  letter  was 
received  from  the  before-mentioned  Benjamin 
Gilbert,  then  at  Caftleton,  acquainting  them 
of  his  being  fo  far  on  his  way  to  Montreal,  in 
order  to  give  them  a(riftance  in  getting  home, 
and  requefting  that  pcrmi(non  might  be  ob- 
tained   for  his  coming  in;  which  Elizabetll 
immediately  applied  to  the  officers  for:  who, 
with  great  cheerf-dnefs,  wrote  in  her  behalf 
to  General  Haldimand,  at  Quebec,  who  rea- 
dily granted  her  requeil,  together  with  other 
favours  to  Elizabeth,  worthy  of  her  grateful 
remembrance^  by  which  means,  Benjamm's 
arrival  at  Montreal  was  foon  effeae^,  where 
he  had  the  pleafurc  once  more  of  feeing  and 
converfmg  with  his  relations  and  nearefl  con- 
nexions, to  their  great  joy  and  fatisfaaion, 
after  an  abfence  of  near  three  yearsi  during 

which 


IJ 


(     124     ) 


It  little  if  any  certain 


vrhich  time,  they  had  b 
account  of  each  other. 

After  fome  time  fpent  in  inquiring  after 
their  relatives  and  friends,  and  converfing  on 
the  once  unthought  of  and  ftrange  fcenfs  of 
life  they  had  pafled  through  fince  their  fcpa- 
ration,    it  became  neceflary  to   prepare  for 
their  journey  homewards,,  which  was  accord- 
mgly  done;  and  in  about  five  weeks  from  the 
time  of  Benjamin's  arrival,  rhey  took  leave  of 
the  friends  and  acquaintances  they  had  made 
during  their  refidence  there,  whofe  hofpitable 
and    kind    treatment    merits     their   grateful 
and  fincere  acknowledgments,  and  moft  ar- 
dent defrres  for  their  welfare  in  every  fcene. 
And  on  the  twenty-fecond  day  of  the  eighth 
nrionth,  1782,  attended  by  a.  great  number  of 
the  inhabitants^  they  embarked  in  boats  pre- 
pared for  them,   and  took  their  departure. 
Having  croffed   the  riv^r,   and  carriages  be- 
mg  provided,    they  proceeded  on  thtir  jour- 
ney without  much  delay,  until  they  came  to 
St.  John's,  where  they  went  on  board  a  floopj 
but  the  winds  being  unfavourable,  rendered 
their  paflage  in  the  lake  fomewhat  tedious. 
^  They  did  not  arrive  at  Crown-Point,  \in^ 
til  about  two  weeks  after  their  departure  from 
Montreal.  They  continued  here  feveral  days, 
and  from  thence  went  in  open  boats  to  Eaft- 
Bay  in  about  two  days,  where  they  landed  and 
llaid  all  night,  and  were  next  day  delivered 


(    "5    ) 

up  to  the  officers  of  Vermont.    Here  fome  of 
the  companv  ftaid  two  nights,  on  account  of 
Benjamin  Pcart's  child  being  very  ill,    bv 
which  time  it  fo  recovered,  that  they  proceed- 
ed on  to  Caftleton,    where  thofe  that  went 
before  had  halted,  and  near  that  place  ftaid 
all  night,    and  in  the  morning,    Elizabeth, 
the  mother,  having  engaged  to  do  an  c  rand 
ror  a  friend,  was  under  a  neceflity  of  ridinff 
about  thirty-five  miles,  which  occafioned  her 
to  be  abfent  two  nights  from  the  family,  who 
were  at  Captain  Willard's  -.    at  which  place 
Benjamin  provided  horfes  and  waggons  for 
the  remainder  of  the  journey,  together  with 
Jome  provifions.   Here  they  were  very  civilly 
treated,  and  generoufly  entertained,  free  of 
expence.  >       ^  w 

The  family  then  proceeded  on,  and  met 
their  mother  at  the  houfc  of  Captain  Lanfon. 
where  they  ftaid  that  night,  and  until  nooa 

him  """^  *""'*  '''"^'^  "■""**  ^y 

Continuing  their  journey,  they  met  with 
John  Bracanage  (who,  together  with  Captain 
Lanfon.  were  paflengers  with  them  to  Eaft- 
Bay);  he  gave  them  an  invitation  to  his  houfe. 
which  they  accepted,  and  arrived  there  about 
noon  next  day,  and  continued  with  him  two 
nights,  and  were  refceafully  entertained.       " 

Having  prepared  for  profecuting  their  jour- 
ney,  they  proceeded  on  for  the  North-River, 
wflcre  they  met  with  Lot  Trip  and  William 

Knowles, 


(     'i6    ) 

I 

Knowles,  who  kindly  conduced  the  women  ^ 
to  the  houfc  of  David  Sands,  where  they 
lodged  that  night.  The  reft  of  the  family 
came  to  them  in  the  morning,  and  feveral  of 
them  attended  friends  meeting,  not  having 
had  the  like  opportunity  for  feveral  years- 
before. 

In  the  afternoon  they  purfued  their  journey, 
the  before-mentioned  Lot  Trip  and  William 
Knowles  accompanying  them,  and  being  in 
a  waggon,  kindly  took  Elizabeth  and  her 
younger  daughter  paflengers  with  them,  which 
proved  a  confiderable  relief. 

In  a  few  days  they  came  into  Pennfylvania, 
where  they  met  with  fome  of  their  relations, 
znd  former  acquaintances  and  friends,  who 
were  unitedly  rejoiced  at  the  happy  event  of 
once  more  feeing  and  converfing  with  them. 

The  next  day,  being  the  twenty-eighth  day 
of  the  ninth  month,  178a,  they  arrived  at 
By  berry,  the  place  of  their  nativity,  and  the 
rcfidence  of  their  neareft  connexions  and 
friendsy  where  Elizabeth  and  her  children 
were  once  more  favoured  with  the  agreeable 
opportunity  of  feeing  and  converfing  with 
her  ancient  mother,  together  with  their  other 
neareft  relatives  and  friends,  to  their  mutual 
joy  and  fatisfa6lion ;  under  which  happy  cir- 
cumftance  we  now  leave  them. 


THOTIGHT^l 


Allu( 
th( 
fil 
FJ 

A' 

On  the 
Wil( 

Here  uj 
Its  V 

In  whic 
Profe 

Pompoi 
Float 

Nor  di[ 
Tob 

J5ophIfti( 
The! 

With  z( 
Still  ( 


THOUGHTS 

Alluding  to,  and  in  Part  occafioned  by, 
the  Captivity  and  Sufferings  of 
BENJAMIN  GILBERT  and  his 
PAMILY, 


AS  from  the  foreft  i/Tues  the  fdl  boar. 
So  human  ravagersj  in  deferts  bred, 
On  the  defencelers,  peaceful  hamlet  pour 
Wild  wafte  o*er  all,  and  fudden  ruin  fpread  ? 

Here  undifguis'd,  war's  brutal  fpirit  fee,  ' 

Its  venom'd  nature  to  the  root  laid  bare. 
In  which  (trick*d  up  in  webs  of  policy) 

Profeffing  Chriftians  vindicate  their  fhare, 
.  ■■   ** 
Pompous  profeffion,  vaunting  in  a  name. 

Floats  lightly  on  an  oftcntatious  fhow. 
Nor  dips  fmcere,  in  refignation's  ftream. 

To  bring  memorials  from  the  depths  below. 

Sophifticated  dogmas  of  the  fchools. 

The  flatulent,  unwholfome  food  of  ftrife. 

With  zeal  pedantic  for  tradition's  rules, 
Still  crucify  the  principle  of  life. 


The 


(     .18     ) 

The  woes  of  this  probationary  ftate, 
Through  life  io  mingled  and  diverfified, 

Derive  their  chief  malicnity  and  weight, 

Iram  murmuring  difcontent  and  captious  pride. 

Tranfient  is  human  life,  all  flefh  as  grafs, 
The  goodlinefs  of  man  h.t  as  a  flowV. 

Fine  gold  muft  through  the  fervJ  furnace  pafs ; 
1  hrough  death  we  irr  mortality  explore. 

"Through  judgment  muft  deliverance  be  i  lown. 
From  vile  afFeftions,  and  their  wrathful  fting; 

True  peace  pertains  to  righteoufnefs  alone. 

That  flows,  through  faith,  from  life's  eternal  fpring! 

Should  man  (to  glory  call'd,  and  endlefs  blifs) 
Bewail  his  momentaiy  adverfe  doom  ? 

Or  in  deep  thankful  reiignation  Jcifs 

The  rod  that  prompts  him  on  his  journey  home  ? 

Unfearchable  the  providence  of  God, 

By  boafted  wifdom  of  the  fon  of  duft  ; 
Lo  !  virtue  feels  oppreffion's  iron  rod. 

And  impious  fpirits  triumph  o*er  the  juft. 

Shall  h  ivrc  a  fdf-conceited  reptile  dare 
I'h'  orr.  'i^r  mt  Rul    '^  equity  arraign  ? 

Say  hwiw  V4iy  wrath  is  fit,  thy  bounty  there, 
Good  to  promote,  and  evil  to  reftrain. 

Believing  fouls  unfeignedly  can  fay. 

Not  mine,  but  thy  all-perfea  will  be  done  5 

If  beft  this  bitter  cup  ftiould  pafs  away. 
Or  be  endur'd,  to  thee,  not  me.  is  known. 

Deep 


**ifMi 


Th. 


(     119     ) 

Deep  tribulation  in  the  humbly  wife, 

Through  patience  to  divine  experience  leads  j 

The  ground  where  hope  fecurely  edifies,      ^ 

Purg'd  of  theiilth  whence  confcious  (hame  proceeds. 

Affliaion  IS  Bethefda's  cleanfing  pool. 
Deep  fearching  each  diftemi)er  of  the  mind  ; 

The  poor  way-farer,  though  efteem'd  a  fool,  * 
Baptizing  here,  immortal  health  may  find. 

Though  for  the  prefent  grim  adverfity 
Not  joyous  is,  but  grievous  to  fuftain; 

Humbling  the  Shepherd's -call— '<  Come  learn  of  me'? 
In  lowly  meeknefs  to  endure  thy  pain. 

Yet  (hall  it  work  a  glorious  recompence  ; 

Nor  can  the  heart  of  man  conceive  in  full 
The  goed  by  infinite  Beneficence, 

Stor'd  for  the  patient  unrepining  foul. 

Some  feeble  ones  fuftain  the  galling  yoke. 
With  firmnefs  no  ferocious  tempers  know  j 

Calm  refignation  mitigates  the  ftroke 
Of  ills,  tremendous  to  the  diftant  view ! 

If  difappointment  blaft  thy  fanguine  hope, 

Indulg'd  ir  fublunaiy  profpeds  fair. 
Conclude  thy  guardian  angel  made  thee  flop,  1 

To  check  thy  blind,  thy  dangerous  career. 

The  captive  family  in  favage  bonds. 

Trace  through  each  rugged  way  and  tracklefs  wilder 
1  hrough  famuie,  toils  unknown,  and  hoftile  wounds. 

Then 


lilt 


':! 


y. 


(       I20      ) 

Then  with  thy  lighter  griefs  their  Co  rows  weigh, 
Nor  let  thy  own  demerits  be  forgot : 

Impartial  inference  deduce,  and  fay 

Whence  thy  exemption  from  their  heavy  lot : 

Is  it  thy  wifdom  ihields  thee  in  the  hour, 

When  mighty  dangers  o*er  thy  head  impend  ? 

Can  thine,  or  other  mortal  arm  of  power. 
From  famine,  peftilence,  or  ftorm  defend  ? 

Confefs  'tis  mercy  covers  thee  from  harm, 
A  care  benign,  unmerited  by  thee  j 

And  if  the  grateful  fenfe  thy  bofom  warm, 
Small  price  is  paid  for  fuch  felicity. 

If  the  hard  Indian's  wild  ferocity, 
^  Againft  their  race  thy  indignation  move, 
Thiiik  on  the  example  due  to  them  from  theq, 
Profeffing  Chriftian  equity  and  love. 

'So  Ihall  their  cruel,  their  abhorred  deeds, 
Inftrudion  to  the  humble  mind  convey ; 

Remind  us  whence  all  violence  proceeds. 
And  ftrengthen  to  purifue  the  peaceful  way. 

Vengeance  with  vengeance  holds  perpetual  war  : 

Love  only  can  o'er  enmity  prevail  j 
Sulphur  and  pitch,  abfurdly  who  prepare. 

To  quench  devouring  iire,  are  fure  to  fail. 

Hear  ye  vindictive  !  be  no  longer  proud. 

The  high  decree  is  paft,  gone  forth  the  word  5 

No  vain  illufion 'tio  the  voice  of  God  ! 

«  Who  ^^fe  the  Iword  muii  perifh  by  the  fwcrd.  " 


't0^ 


Pe 

Tl 

Fr 

,      In 

■  I 

■  W] 

y^  -— 
I 
Did 

Var 

I       C 

^  Vin 

i       E 
For 

Mef] 
R 

Byv 
D 

But^ 

W 

How 

i     .Y« 


Periih 


-»'g^> 

i 

lot:         ' 

nd? 

1;. 

'  ^-.'    ».  ■ 

( 

r 

t 

ir : 


i/.r 


rd." 
Periih 


(      1^1      ) 

Perifh  from  that  divine  ennobling  fenfe 
Of  heavenly  good,  which  evil  overcomes  ; 
w-  ^    '  "^^""^^  energetic  influence, 
With  piercmg  ray  difpels  bewild'ring  glooms.       , 

^'l\Z^rr  f  °'"'  ^Pf^^J^^rings  !  come  they  not 
T       u-  u    r  '  from  pride,  from  felfifl,  arrogance  ?• 

-??' m'.  f ""  Pf  ^"^^  ^"^  ^^^^^°"^  far  remote. 
The  blind  goad  oiitbe  blind,  a  flavifli  danc^j. 

^o w  u'"% '^"  '.'?^''  ^^"  '^^^  Ch^^ftia"  faith 

U  er  heathen  infidelity  prevail  ? 
-—-Yes-— -but  the  means  is  not-  thy  will,  thv  wratlr. 
Means  which  confederate  with  death  and  he^^      ' 

Did  ever  tyger-hearted  Spanifh  chiefs 

By  thofe  dir.  mafTacres  in  ftory  told, 
Vanquifh  Peruvians  ftubborn  unbelief, 
I       Or  add  one  convert  to  the  Chriftian  fold  ? 

Vindiaive  man  will  ftill  retaliate^ 

^vil  for  evil,  and  ftill  rack  his  brains., 
1*  or  arguments  the  caufe  to  vindicate  : 

Nor  knows  what  fpirit  in  his  bofom  reigns. 

Me/Tiah  is  the  love  of  God  to  man  ' 

Reveal'd  on  earth,  not  to  deftroy,  but  fave  . 

By  wifdom's  peaceful  influence  to  main  atl  ' 
Dominion  over  -'.ath,  hell,  and  the  grave. 

But  why  for  Chriftian  purity  contend  ? 

Who  hath,  alas  !  believ'd  the  glad  report  ? 
How  many  boaft  the  name,  the  nime  defend  • 

Yet  make  the  virtual  lik  their  fcoiFand  fport  ? 

^  Deal 


1' 


4 


(       122^      ) 

Deal  forth  their  cenfures  with  unfparing  zeal^.  . 

'Gainft  favage  violence  and  cruel  wrong  j 
Nor  dream  the  real  eflential  infidel 

Holds  o'er  their  fpirits  his  dominion  ftrong^ 

What  Turkifli  rover,  or  virhat  heathen  foe, 
Shews  more  contempt  of  gofpel  equity. 

Than  thofe,  to  fultry  climes  remote  who  go, 
T'  enflave  their  fellow  men,  by  nature  free?" 

The  yelling  warrior,  with  relentlefs  hand. 
Leaves  parent  childlefs,  fatherlefs  the  fon  ; 

Their  griefs  our  tender  fympathy  demand; 
But  what  have  diftant  Afiric's  children  donet 

Will  ftill  the  pick-thank,  temporizing  prieft. 

Give  this  oppreflion  Pharifaic  aid? 
Will  civiliz'd  believers  ftill  perfift 

To  vindicate  the  abominable  trade? 

Th*  extenfive,  deep,  unrighteous  t'  unfold, 
Weft-India's  dark,  inhuman  laws  explore;. 

What  grofs  iniquity  we  there  behold. 
In  loiemn  adis  of  legiflative  pow*r  ? 

Britons,  who  loud  for  liberty  contend, 

Affeft  to  guard  their  nation  from  the  ftain; 

Yet  fordidly  in  Mammon's  temple  bend, 
And  largely  ftiare  in  the  ungodly  gain. 

What  ardent  execrations  do  we  hear, 

'Gainft  barb'rous  Mohoc's,  bloody  Shawanefe? 
From  father's  arms  their  hopeful  fons  who  tear; 

From  mother's  breafts  love's  tender  pledges  feize. 


O  Chrif- 


0  Chriftian !  think  with  what  redoubled  force. 
Crainft  which  faUacious  artifice  is  vain, 

Un  thee  recurs  thy  aggravated  curfe, 
Heaven's  righteous  Judge  pronouncing—-,"  Thoir 
art  the  man."  5      .      ^noir 

Think  for  what  end  the  Mediator  came. 
On  earth  an  ignominious  death  to  die' 

1  hy  foul  from  wrath's  dominion  to  redeem. 
And  to  himfelf  a  people  purify. 


N 


S,. 


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